Mercedes dominance making GP boring: Ricciardo
After coming sixth in the Melbourne Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo says the sport is at risk of becoming too predictable if one car maker always dominates
Daniel Ricciardo is among the drivers fearing for Formula One's future after labelling as "boring" Mercedes' one-two procession in the Australian Grand Prix.
Winner Lewis Hamilton and his runner-up team-mate Nico Rosberg lapped all but three drivers at Albert Park in Melbourne in a Sunday drive that turned a race into a glorified Mercedes parade.
"I feel a bit for the fans," said Australia's Ricciardo, who finished sixth.
"It was a boring race. It was frustrating."
Hamilton, from pole position, and Rosberg, from second spot, were never challenged by a field of just 15 cars, which third-placed Sebastian Vettel said damaged the sport.
Two more cars retired before completing a lap and only 11 drivers finished the season-opening event.
"For sure it's not great for the people," Vettel said.
"(Formula One) is a difficult challenge. It is complicated - maybe it got a bit too complicated."
Vettel, on debut for Ferrari, conceded that bridging the gap - he finished more than 34 seconds behind Hamilton - would be "difficult but not impossible" this season.
"It's a big gap - 34 seconds down the road is a lot for everyone else," he said.
"It can turn around a little bit for the next Grand Prix but it could be even worse."
Even Mercedes' victors wished for a greater challenge from the likes of Ferrari.
"I hope you can give us a challenge because it's important for the sport and for the fans," Rosberg said.
"And a part of me thinks about the show because I want to give people a great time at home watching on TV or at the track."
But Vettel scoffed at Rosberg's sentiment.
"You really hope so, seriously?" Vettel said.
"You finish 30 seconds in front of us and ... you hope you slow down?
"A suggestion, if you don't mind, is your garage becomes public for Malaysia and everyone can have a look."
Mercedes last year won the drivers' and constructors' titles and set a record 16 race wins in a season.
Hamilton won 11 of those races as Mercedes set a record 11 one-two finishes in a season. The team also equalled Red Bull Racing's 2011 record for most pole positions in a season with 18.
Little has changed.
On Sunday, England's reigning champion Hamilton easily won his 34th career grand prix: within six laps he was already 2.6 seconds ahead of Rosberg.
"Once you get a two-second gap you try and manage that. There is no need to eke out more," Hamilton said.
"It was a phenomenal race for both of us."
Source: AAP
Advertisement
- Dr Varigos: carer across the generations
- Greek crisis affecting gender equality
- Melbourne Mint strikes again
- Balancing the budget - the ancient Greek perspective
- Austrailan Cypriot youths fight for resolution
- Bank withdrawals rising in Greece
- Greek language lives through Benaki treasures
- SA Chief Justice wants more women to become barristers
- Students take a stand on bullying
- Greek fiesta at Prahran Market
- Gyros revolution of Sydney
- The reinvention of ERT
- The (unconventional) good Greek girl
- 'Australian influence all over me' says Varoufakis
- Greece readies reform promises after Eurogroup climbdown
- Parliament elects Pavlopoulos for president
- Postecoglou thanks Greek community for support
- Ladies ready for everything!
- Germany rejects Greece 'take-it or leave-it' debt offer
- Arrest warrant for missing man
Advertisement
Advertisement
-
The Greek government is hoping the eurozone finance ministers will deem the proposals enough to pave the way for the release of some funding to Athens within March.
-
This light and fresh, not to mention vegetarian-friendly recipe is all about contrasting textures and flavours with the most healthy olive oil twist.
-
Brisbane Roar held South Korean side Suwon Bluewings to a 3-3 draw.
-
Greek Australian filmmaker, Natalie Cunningham will screen her acclaimed film Ror at the festival's big screen.
-
After coming sixth in the Melbourne Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo says the sport is at risk of becoming too predictable if one car maker always dominates.
-
There will be 1,500 fewer places at Greek universities as the country tackles overcrowding in higher education.
-
Better planning needed for newly arrived migrants, including thousands of Greeks.
-
The Greens were also penalised two home games and a 100,000 euro fine.
-
We met Carly Yelayotis on The Voice Australia. Now she's wowing judges on the The Voice in Greece.
-
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras confident the country won't have to seek a third international bailout after the four month extension period ends.
-
Cyprus wants to reverse a perception that the two countries are inextricably linked, worried that it could be dragged down with Greece
-
Recovering addicts are still receiving excessive penalties while the real offenders escape proper punishment.
-
The awards are designed to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work of those who make a positive contribution to the Monash community.
-
Greeks and First Australians unite over stolen sacred treasures.
-
Young Cypriots aged between 18-30 years old gathers in Sydney to host the 11th annual NEPOMAK Summit.
-
Brisbane Roar managed a 1-0 clean sheet against J-League powerhouse Urawa Red Diamonds.
-
In Tasmania, the Nikitaras family have taken on Coles and Woolworths, and are winning battles if not the war.
-
All the way from Corfu, to Bray and now in Melbourne, Dimitri Andreas Bellos talks about managing The Fat Duck; currently the most exciting dining experience on offer.
Comments
Post new comment