Tsunoda surprised to be eighth on grid for Australian GP

In brief

Tsunoda surprised by top eight

After Tsunoda reached Q3 in Albert Park and beat both Aston Martins to secure eighth on the grid for today’s Australian Grand Prix, the RB driver admits he exceeded his own expectations.

“I’m definitely happy,” Tsunoda told the official F1 channel after his best qualifying of the season so far.

“I didn’t expect to be honest to be P8 – even Q3 as well after Q1, when I saw Williams and a couple of teams also picked up quite a lot of pace. I was also able to gain a lot of lap time in a couple of places, corners that was able to put me into Q3. So I was really happy.

“Definitely big credit to the team that was able to get me a very consistent car throughout the weekend. From FP1 I felt quite comfortable.”

Sainz and Gasly reprimanded

The Ferrari failed to adhere to race director Niels Wittich’s event note directions about practice starts on the grid at the end of a session – that are the same every race weekend – which outline that drivers must take the chequered flag first before attempting one. Sainz was ahead of Lando Norris on track when Norris was the first driver to take the flag at the end of third practice, but still stopped on the grid with the McLaren, committing a breach. Sainz was reprimanded by the stewards, his first of the season.

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly also received a reprimand after he crossed the white line at the exit of the pit lane when joining the track during Q1.

Spectator injured by Alonso’s gravel

After Fernando Alonso ran off the track at turn ten during practice, gravel kicked up by the Aston Martin allegedly injured a spectator.

Australian Jelena Dokic – a former grand slam tennis player herself – claims to have been struck in the eye by some gravel flicked into the grandstands when Alonso bounced through the gravel trap. Posting on social media, Dokic says she was hit in the right eye, requiring medical treatment at the circuit.

Thankfully, the injuries proved to be minor and Dokic plans to attend today’s grand prix.

Links

Motor racing links of interest:

The Australian Grand Prix is here to stay, but at what cost? (The Age)

'In 2019, the last race run before the pandemic garaged the event for two years, the Australian Grand Prix spent $115.5 million on the race, leaving taxpayers with a $60.2 million bill. Last year’s race cost $197.6 million to put on and, despite generating record revenue, drained $100.6 million from the public purse.'

A Day in the Life: Race Support for the Australian Grand Prix (Mercedes)

'We joined Brice, one of our team in Brackley on duty for Free Practice Friday, to give you an idea of what a race weekend night shift looks like at a Formula 1 factory.'

Jack Doohan demos vintage Benetton F1 car at Albert Park alongside father Mick (Formula 1)

Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan demonstrates a 2000 Benetton B200 at Albert Park while his Moto GP world champion father Mick rode a Honda RCV213.

The Aussie schoolgirl breaking down barriers in F1 pursuit (Channel Nine)

''The F1 Academy has opened a lot of doors (for female drivers). There's now a clearer pathway and more funding going into females right now. Hopefully they get the right one (into F1), and hopefully it's me.''

The wooden shed in which Ken Tyrrell built an F1 empire has been preserved (Autoweek)

'The shed stood in its original home in Ockham village, Surrey, for more than 70 years, but after a period of sensitive restoration, it has now been relocated to Hurricane Lawn at the Goodwood Motor Circuit after the estate was approached to save it from demolition.'

Dixon offers speed secrets for fun, challenging Thermal (IndyCar)

''Thermal features a wide variety of corner lengths and radiuses. That combination leads to compromises. With nine right corners and eight left turns, it’s impossible to get everything correct.''

We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it to us via the contact form.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Social media

Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:

Red flag is out at The Thermal Club after this @KKirkwoodRacing incident.#INDYCAR // #ThermalChallenge pic.twitter.com/cixtepWEFH

— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) March 23, 2024

|@JackDoohan33 has swapped his Benetton for a Brabham – he was in a 24-year-old car, now he's gone back 55 years!#F1 #AustralianGP #RaceFans pic.twitter.com/6pJTCRbfGA

— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) March 23, 2024

Cuteness overload 🥺 pic.twitter.com/dxJjsC2ZE2

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 23, 2024

#IndyCar: Marcus Armstrong, in preparation for his first full season, is working with THE Angela Cullen. pic.twitter.com/oAibW0LaLi

— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) March 22, 2024

|@KevinMagnussen still struggling with the new team names…#F1 #AustralianGP #RaceFans pic.twitter.com/khX4epEesg

— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) March 23, 2024

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

• Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory

Comment of the day

As Lewis Hamilton struggles to master his latest Mercedes, Mog believes his underwhelming form will not be of concern to Ferrari, his 2025 team…

It doesn’t matter to Ferrari if Hamilton loses to Charles Leclerc. Hamilton and Ferrari means big business, and will boost company value and sales massively.

That’s why John Elkann basically gave Lewis a blank cheque, because the value the biggest driver in F1 brings to Ferrari is worth every cent.

I’m not saying he’s washed, just that the deal is mutually beneficial regardless of track outcome. Add to that Mercedes is not on the same positive trajectory with their car as Ferrari, so Lewis will still likely do better there than in a Mercedes.
Mog

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to Gman, Sam and Harvey Pizey!

On this day in motorsport

• 40 years ago today Elio de Angelis put his Lotus on pole position for the first race of the year at Jacarepagua while his future team mate Ayrton Senna took 16th on his debut for Toleman