Alexander Albon Wins First Race in Chaotic Argentine Grand Prix

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Q1	Q2	Diff.
1	57	Dean Stoneman		1:17.514	1:17.302
2	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1:17.823	1:17.500	+0.198
3	29	Roger Ibe		1:18.295	1:18.340	+0.993
4	1	Artem Markelov		1:18.510	1:18.376	+1.074
5	37	Victoria Desai		1:18.672	1:18.455	+1.153
6	23	Alexander Albon		1:18.488	1:18.459	+1.157
7	47	Lando Norris		1:18.909	1:18.574	+1.272
8	33	Max Verstappen		1:18.702	1:18.578	+1.276
9	26	Robert Shwartzman		1:19.138	1:18.659	+1.357
10	18	Sebastian Vettel		1:18.935	1:19.052	+1.633
11	77	Valtteri Bottas		1:19.479	1:18.943	+1.641
12	39	Sho Tsuboi		1:19.047	1:19.475	+1.745
13	20	Kevin Magnussen		1:19.138	1:19.098	+1.796
14	70	Sérgio Sette Câmara		1:19.620	1:19.244	+1.942
15	31	Esteban Ocon		1:20.214	1:20.963	+2.912
16	11	Terry Hawkin		1:20.610	1:20.323	+3.021
17	23	Jules Bianchi		1:20.880	1:20.656	+3.354
18	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1:20.829	1:20.801	+3.499
19	4	Robin Frijns		1:21.091	1:21.244	+3.789
20	56	Einar Ármannsson		1:21.791	1:21.165	+3.863
21	95	Beitske Visser		1:22.088	1:21.839	+4.537
22	46	Alessandro Cicognani		1:22.416	1:22.120	+4.818
23	7	Charles Leclerc		1:22.517	1:22.519	+5.215
24	84	Jack Aitken		1:23.193	1:23.405	+5.891

Report:

A few experts predicted that the new fuel cell regulations would prove troublesome as the different materials and built concepts would prove challenging, as their demands would cause cars to fail to finish. These experts can smugly point to this Grand Prix.

All in all, a baker’s dozen were not able to finish the race. The supermajority of those drivers suffered motor and transmission failures with only Judd avoiding motor failures; of course this meant that the drivers who did not suffer those problems had unexpected chances.

Ten of the classified thirteen drivers had their season-best finish, including first-time Formula One winner Alexander Albon who took Ferrari’s first win in almost four years. Lando Norris was the favourite for the victory until he hurt himself with another driver mistake, but at least he got his first podium finish of the year.

Backmarkers were rubbing their hands in glee, as points were handed out in large amounts: MRT, Loonmotor and Sauber were all able to score points, which should be very important in their battle against Dawson to avoid the dreaded last position.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Points
1	23	Alexander Albon		60:33.273	15
2	26	Robert Shwartzman		+3.266	12
3	47	Lando Norris		+4.901	10
4	18	Sebastian Vettel		+27.893	8
5	14	Esteban Ocon		+62.060	6
6	37	Victoria Desai		+75.625	5
7	56	Einar Ármannsson		1 Lap	4
8	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1 Lap	3
9	46	Alessandro Cicognani		1 Lap	2
10	7	Charles Leclerc		2 Laps	1
11	85	Jack Aitken		2 Laps
12	4	Robin Frijns		3 Laps
13	77	Valtteri Bottas		Motor
DNF	1	Artem Markelov		Motor
DNF	70	Sérgio Sette Câmara		Motor
DNF	29	Roger Ibe		Transmission
DNF	33	Max Verstappen		Transmission
DNF	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		Motor
DNF	20	Kevin Magnussen		Collision
DNF	23	Jules Bianchi		Transmission
DNF	57	Dean Stoneman		Motor
DNF	39	Sho Tsuboi		Transmission
DNF	11	Terry Hawkin		Motor
DNF	95	Beitske Visser		Transmission

Fastest Lap:

Lando Norris – 1:19.865

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Alessandro Cicognani – the ultimate underdog has scored Loonmotor’s first points.

Reject Of The Race:

Jack Aitken – behaviour unbecoming of a backmarker sees him earn the wrath of Toyota and the stewards.