Lights Out: Mercedes in 'party mode' as Melbourne nears

Lights Out: Mercedes in 'party mode' as Melbourne nears

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Thursday 22 March 2018 09:00

Lewis Hamilton is almost always in 'party mode' if his Instagram feed is anything to go by, but the Formula 1 world champion has another kind of shindig on his mind as we edge nearer to the Australian Grand Prix. It's lights out for Thursday morning!

MUST READ

We're just days out from lights out in Melbourne! Check out our in-depth preview of the Formula 1 curtain-raiser here.

Article continues under video

Can anyone stop Mercedes in 2018. We'll find out in due course, but it looks like the champions will be dominant on Saturdays again this year.

Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas kept plenty under wraps during pre-season, but the champ is looking forward to unleashing "party mode" in qualifying in Melbourne.

The likes of Ferrari and Red Bull have more chance of keeping up with the Silver Arrows on race day, however, after the introduction of a third DRS zone at Albert Park.

Don't know your detection points from your activation zones? Here's DRS explained.

McLaren are another team looking to impress in Melbourne, despite struggles in testing, Fernando Alonso says they are "100 per cent" ready to go in the season opener.

Red Bull are looking for a title tilt in 2018 and that could lead to "fireworks" between their drivers Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo...

But what does the future hold for the team? Could it the dreaded H-word... Honda?

MUST WATCH

#OnThisDay 58 years ago.
The great @ayrtonsenna was born.
????? 162 races for @McLarenF1, @WilliamsRacing, Lotus & Toleman.
1?? 65 pole positions
???? 41 race victories
????3 world titles#SennaSempre pic.twitter.com/3QNayQsS1h — GP Fans Global (@GPFansGlobal) March 21, 2018