As the dust settles on what was another enthralling Australian Formula One Grand Prix, it was Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen that tasted the spoils of victory. With the rapidly degrading 2013 Pirelli tyre dictating that the bulk of the F1 field adopt a three-stop strategy, Lotus and Kimi Raikkonen were able to prevail by stealth with a two-stop strategy. Crushing the opposition by 12.4 seconds, which in Formula One terms is a country mile, Lotus can be well satisfied with their weekend's work in testing weather conditions. Congratulations to the former Toleman/Benetton/Renault now Lotus team. Don't be fooled either by the relaxed, unconcerned demeanour of Kimi Raikkonen. Underneath is a fiercely determined, intelligent quick racer who wants nothing more than to add to his 2007 title. The Lotus and Kimi package must now be surely considered serious contenders for the championship. 
    But what of the two Australians? Red Bull's Mark Webber was unlucky not to capitalise on a front row grid position, as his car's Electronic Control Unit failed to send any telemetry back to his team during the formation lap. Therefore he and his team had no idea as to what the engine, tyre or brake temperatures were, effectively meaning he started blind, thus compromising his start. On top of that, it also translated to his Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) shutting down. The team were able to reboot the ECU, but by this time Webber and Red Bull were already on the back foot. However he raced hard and showed his trademark grit by finishing sixth. ECU suppliers McLaren have since apologised for the glitch.
    Scuderia Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo didn't have the best of starts either and had trouble bringing his tyres up to temperature in the cool conditions. But by lap 10 he was flying, passing cars and fighting for championship points. First race of the season gremlins unfortunately won out in the end, as he later retired with a broken exhaust. Both Aussies will be back bigger and stronger in Malaysia this weekend. 
    With the Australian GP's contract up for renewal after 2015, there are questions being asked regarding the event's viability. The Victorian government currently subsidises the event by an estimated $35m, plus the expenses incurred in erecting and dismantling the Albert Park precinct, which reportedly comes in around $20m. The question is can this expenditure be sustained and whether the return is worth the outlay? At formulafrontrow.com we are constantly banging on about brand exposure and we feel that the benefits resulting from staging such an event is immeasurable. Apart from World Cup Soccer and the summer Olympics, Formula One is the most watched sport on TV in the world. The two aforementioned events are only every four years, whereas F1 is on average every two weeks from March through to the end of November every year. Staging the GP showcases Melbourne and Australia to a global audience exceeding 350 million viewers. This entices people to attend the event in future, or consider coming Down Under just for a holiday when F1 is not in town. What about the direct injection to the Victorian economy and indirectly the Vic. government? Local, interstate and international punters that descend on Melbourne for GP week spend money in bars, restaurants, cafes, take-away food, accommodation, transport and shopping. This boosts local business and permeates through to the Vic. government through state taxes. The money spent is surely incalculable and invaluable for that matter. Let's hope for a successful renegotiation of the GP contract. The Australian Grand Prix Corporation do an amazing job staging the event with a bumper support programme supporting F1 guaranteeing non-stop track action, top shelf off track action such as Nitro Circus, and promoting all Australia has to offer the world. Well done. Can't wait for next year.
    This weekend F1 heads to the oppressive heat and humidity that is Sepang, Malaysia. Will Kimi Raikkonen make it back to back victories for Lotus? Let us know what you think. Drop us a line at: greenflag@formulafrontrow.com or simply leave a comment.
    Beware the Prancing Horse at Sepang. Ferrari have jumped out of the box a lot stronger than last year. Fernando Alonso is coming off a strong second in Melbourne and has a good record in Sepang, and team mate Felipe Massa seems to have found the old spring in his step. Watch out....
    

    The 2013 Formula One season has arrived and once again Melbourne, Australia has the distinguished honour of hosting the season's opening event. As usual, F1 winter testing seemed to reveal a different leader of the timesheets each day. No one knows what programme each team is running, and at what stage they are with their development of their new cars. With no real definitive form guide, speculation will undoubtedly crescendo. There's always a certain feeling concocting anticipation, nervousness and thrilling excitement leading into the first event. Mucho fantastico!
    Melbourne itself is a vibrant, exciting city, as evidenced by constantly being voted one of the most liveable cities in the world. Possessing a rich sporting heritage and a hip art and music culture, Melbourne is also renown for it's superb food. A stroll around any number of quiet CBD laneways could reveal colourful street art or a cosy restaurant, or head down to Acland St in St Kilda for an amazing array of cafes to choose from. If shopping's your thing, check out Chapel St or the Bourke St Mall. If you prefer live music, you certainly can't go past the Prince Of Wales Hotel or The Esplanade Hotel, both in St Kilda. Melbourne's parklands are simply sensational. Domain Botanical Gardens, Carlton Gardens, St Kilda Botanical Gardens, are all worth your exploration. A leisurely walk along the Yarra River around Southbank will expose cafes, bars, boutiques, restaurants and shopping malls, not to mention great photo opportunities. A modern city complemented with old and new architecture, spectacular sculptures and fountains, ever present trams, all add up to Melbourne possessing a unique vibe. No trip to Melbourne is complete however, without a visit to the southern hemisphere's highest observation deck on top of the Eureka Tower. Stunning 360 degree views that takes on a whole new dimension at night plus unrivalled views of the Albert Park precinct.
    Which leads us to the circuit. This year the Albert Park street circuit is celebrating 60 years since motorsport converged on the picturesque lakeside circuit. Many people have asked us where the best vantage points are? Turn 1 always offers action a-plenty, but if you'd like to see an F1 car brake from 310km down to an 80km hairpin in the space of 110m, head down to Turn 3. Impressive stuff. The fast left-right chicane at Turns 11+12 offers punters a chance to see an F1 car at it's best as they blast through at 230km on entry and 260km on exit. Jaw dropping stuff. Two of our favourite vantage points are the fast right hand sweepers at Turn 14 and Turn 5. They smash both these corners at around 220km using all the road, whilst the ever-present wall is unwilling to provide any run off at Turn 5. Mesmerising stuff. Being a street circuit the fans are always close to the action.
    As for this year's Formula One championship, we'll make no predictions, except to say, that the cream always rises to the top. 
    As for the Australian Grand Prix, who knows, especially since Pirelli's 2013 spec tyres are another aggressive step forward from 2012. This year they're providing the medium and super-soft compounds, effectively making last year's option tyre, this year's prime tyre. Strategy will certainly be difficult to foresee. Remember though in trying, unpredictable conditions where tyre management is crucial, the most experienced driver on the grid has won three of the last four Aussie GP's; Jenson Button. Intriguing stuff.
    Let us know what you're doing for the Australian Grand Prix. Tell us your prediction for the great race. Leave formulafrontrow.com a comment or drop us a line at: greenflag@formulafrontrow.com. It'll be an awesome event. See you in Melbourne....