What did we learn from the Australian Grand Prix except that Mercedes is still the team to beat, Formula One cars are unbelievably safe, the new qualifying system is a disaster, Toro Rosso drivers Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz will provide the comedy relief/fight club action this season, Ferrari led for more than half the race but didn't understand how to use the new three-tyre rule, FIA boss Jean Todt and F1's Bernie Ecclestone couldn't be bothered turning up, the racing was surprisingly great, and the Melbourne organisers and the Australian broadcaster want to turn the weekend into a social and promotional event for the broadcaster.
Each day the organisers sent out a list to journalists of celebrities who had turned up at the track. Now Australia is a great place but, let's admit it, when it comes to famous people who come to car races we are a bit light on. So most of the people on the list were Ten Network commentators, Ten stars or friends of Ten commentators and stars.
Race two of the V8 Supercars at Albert Park saw Triple Eight Race Engineering cars, two Red Bull and one Caltex, shut out the podium.
So back to the F1 series, where quite a few drivers are paying $20 million for a ride. All the teams, except for Ferrari, which was lukewarm on the idea, were opposed to the new qualifying but they all voted for it.