Formula 1: Good month, bad month — June 2023

Good Month

Russell-ing up

0.25sec off VER in qualifying, then leading before PU blowout. Is Russell giving the title fight hope?

Sassy Ted

No holding back from Sky’s Ted Kravitz in Australia on various matters, like a pleasant koala bear turned ominously sincere.

Drive through the park

The recent changes to Albert Park didn’t do much for the 2022 race, but this year’s instalment saw action right through the field.

Macca on the rise

Sixth and eighth at Albert Park meant McLaren leapt spectacularly up from last to fifth in the constructors’ championship.

Pocket Rocket

After three 11ths in a row, Yuki finally scored a point. Attaboy!

Bad Month 

Alpine blobfish livery

That absolute horror show of an Oz finish from Alpine an appropriate farewell for its ‘Sad BWT Blobfish’ livery.

Official’s mess

FIA makes a dingo’s dinner of proceedings, throwing the red flag apparently in an attempt to finish the race under ‘exciting’ race conditions.

Heavy hit

A brilliant sixth early on, Albon dumped his Williams into the barrier. It will hurt in more way than one.

Disaster Down Under

Leclerc in the gravel and Sainz out of the points in 12th after a penalty for daft driving.

Behind the curve

Pérez ate run-off in Q1, letting team-mate Verstappen steal a championship march on Sunday. More Barrichello than Pironi.