The much anticipated return of the Australian Grand Prix takes place in just five days time, where a fairly new track awaits the 20 drivers who look towards an exciting third race of the 2022 Formula One Championship.
The last time we went to Melbourne was in 2019, where we saw a dominant display by the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas, claiming the top step of the podium by over 20 seconds to his then teammate Lewis Hamilton who finished in second from pole position for the fourth time in a row.
Heading into this weekend, the picture is mightily different, with Bottas now in Alfa Romeo colours following a bitter sweet start to the season, finishing sixth in Bahrain, but retiring in Jeddah due to an apparent engine failure.
Hamilton perhaps more strikingly is struggling in his Mercedes, despite getting a fortuitous third position in Bahrain, in Saudi Arabia he had a weekend to forget. Knocked out of Q1 for the first time since Brazil 2017, and only a tenth placed finish in the race.
Meanwhile much has changed for Max Verstappen since then, having picked up a third place finish in that race. The flying Dutchman managed to knock Hamilton off his perch, winning the 2021 World Championship in historic fashion.
His then teammate Pierre Gasly has moved back down to sister team Alpha Tauri, and Sergio Perez now accompanies Verstappen in the Red Bull and the Mexican has not disappointed so far.
Playing a huge role in Max's championship win, winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last year, to being the first Mexican in Formula One history to qualify in pole position this season for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
As for Charles Leclerc, that was his first race in the famous Ferrari in which he came fifth, as the Monegasque looks to mount his first title challenge to reigning champion Verstappen.
Much more has changed since the beginning of the 2019 season, whether it be team names, driver line-ups or race winners, but heading to Melbourne, the drivers will have a different challenge facing them when they get in the cockpit.
NEW TRACK
The cars aren't all that has changed since our last visit to Melbourne however, with virtually a new track for the drivers to navigate.
TURN 1
The opening right hander has been widened by 2.5m on the right hand side, which will allow for easier overtaking in the braking zone following the start finish straight.
TURN 3
The shortest DRS zone on the track then leads into a tight right hander which has been widened by a decent margin of 4m on the inside, giving drivers another great opportunity to overtake if they weren't close enough heading into turn one.
TURN 6
Drivers will be pleased to see that the awkward right hander has been opened up by 7.5m leading into a flowing right corner, where the exit marks the first DRS detection zone on the 'new' track.
TURN 9/10
Although nothing has changed at two of the fastest corners on the whole calendar, it is worth noting that drivers are now able to tuck right in the tow of the cars in front on the exit of turn six, all the way up to the famous left-right chicane.
TURN 11
Has become tighter but wider as a result to allow for more room for cars to battle wheel to wheel heading into the final few corners of the track.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The aim was certainly to improve racing around the streets of Melbourne, and looking at the modifications, F1 fans can get excited for more intense and brilliant wheel to wheel action.
Now including FOUR DRS zones, making it one of the fastest tracks on the calendar, and an exciting prospect for the drivers and fans to look forward to in five days time.
This season hasn't disappointed so far, with Ferrari and Red Bull locking horns in the opening rounds, the stage is set for the drivers to put on a show in Australia.
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