F1 2018: 5 takeaways from the Australian GP

This is the joint longest season in Formula 1 so far. With as many as 21 races taking place, a record 5 double-headers (Bahrain-China, Germany-Hungary, Belgium-Italy, Russia-Japan, USA-Mexico) and a unique triple-header (France-Austria-Britain) Grands Prix, there is scope for plenty of gas to burn.

While there's a long way to go, the season is shaping up rather quickly. To use a football analogy, the teams are in 3-4-3 formation. Three top teams (Ferrari-Mercedes-Red Bull), 4 midfield (Haas-Renault-McLaren-Force India) and 3 back-markers (Williams-Toro Rosso-Sauber).

The order will change around with each circuit, but the deltas are getting smaller, as cars are getting closer and quicker. Australia has given a trailer of things to come and here are the 5 takeaways from Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne.

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#5 Most looking forward to

Not an inch, given or taken

Championship battle of both drivers and constructors to be decided in the last round in Abu Dhabi. The top 3 teams, except for Red Bull, have a clear lead driver in Vettel and Hamilton.

Both drivers are set to exchange the lead throughout the season, that has been set up nicely because the engine performances have converged after having the same engine formula since 2014.

This trend will continue, whittling away the pace differentials between the constructors, as everyone furiously develops throughout the season.

As a corollary, the driver skills will make a huge difference to the outcome of races and the championships. The stars are aligning for a tough dogfight.

#4 Least looking forward to

The onboard shot from halo obstructs the track significantly

The halo and onboard shots are annoying and obstruct the view so much so that they are blocking almost the entire track, let alone chicanes and turns.

It is frustrating for fans to see a camera angle that gives a very intrinsic view of the track and the driver simultaneously to be compromised so badly by a device that is very unpopular to begin with.

The FIA needs to get a remedial camera positioning nailed down on urgent priority. The regular T-cam view is comparatively better, but the halo is impeding the joy.

Furthermore, the drivers are not instantly recognizable from their helmets. F1 can react quickly, as was exemplified by the junking of knockout style qualifying in 2016.

#3 Driver duel of the season

A Verstappen versus Hamilton battle guarantees fireworks.

The plot of Lewis Hamilton against Sebastian Vettel, and the battle between Mercedes, Ferrari and, Red Bull. has heated up really quickly.

Hamilton battling Vettel is a given, but Verstappen challenging the defending Champion is what will make it an explosive, enticing battle.

Hamilton has the fastest engine, Verstappen has the best chassis. Both of them have the most vocal fan base, especially on social media.

A continued run of the wheel to wheel battles for top spoils would go a long way in establishing a marquee rivalry that is brimming with potential.

Defender versus pretender, Experienced versus new. Formula 1 needs them to clash.

#2 One Certainty

Hamilton is bound to be

favorite

for pole positions on Saturdays

Lewis Hamilton will extend his pole position record (73 currently) even further and this is one record that will stay for a very long time to come. He's taken most poles in a season for 6 out of his 11 completed seasons since his debut in 2007.

Whether Mercedes accepts it or not, there is a party mode on that engine that can blow away the chasing field in qualifying.

There's no one on the current grid that's better at the one flying lap to nab the pole. The Silver Arrow is a better handling car than last year's championship-winning W08 and therefore, Hamilton could be regularly starting from the front row.

#1 One bold prediction

Renault powered teams have improved and can win further down the season

Last season had 3 different constructors winning races with 3 different engines (Mercedes, Ferrari, and Renault). McLaren now has got a Renault engine and a decent chassis so they will improve a lot, the question is how much and how soon.

Renault too have progressed rapidly and along with McLaren, they have the budget and personnel in place to make a push for those crucial gains to make the leaders worry.

Either Renault or McLaren could win this season and, make it 4 teams to taste victory apart from Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes. It might seem unlikely today, but something with even lesser odds can happen. Here's the evidence.