Lowe anticipating lots of tension for first qualifying session

Williams' chief technical officer Paddy Lowe is expecting a lot of tension around the first qualifying session of the season. This weekend, Albert Park hosts the Australian Grand Prix which opens the 2018 Formula 1 season.

But before the race on Sunday kicks off, the field must qualify on the Saturday, and Lowe thinks there will be a state of nerves heading into the session: "We are all very excited to go back to Melbourne for the first race of the season.

"There are lots of new things this season with a new car, driver line-up, people, regulations and a range of new tyre compounds which I’m sure will make events interesting.Importantly, there is always a state of tension around where everyone will end up pace-wise with the first qualifying session being the most interesting hour of the F1 season, where we get the first exam results following our year-long build-up to put together the FW41"

Williams caused headlines over the winter, when it signed up Sergey Sirotkin as Felipe Massa's replacement. The Russian was picked over a resurging Robert Kubica, who takes on the role of test and development driver this year. Lowe says that the Grove team is excited to see its new line-up out on the track.

"We are excited to see Lance and Sergey in their first race as teammates, and it looks like there will be some close competition as all the teams appear to have done a fantastic job over the winter. And whilst that might make things difficult for the teams, it is great for the fans, so above all else, we hope to put on a great show for everyone in Australia."

Replies (1)

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  • Hogwash but if it really gave Wolff a stroke then very good, one less waste of space in the paddock.

    • + 0
    • Mar 23 2018 - 02:32

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Date
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14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
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24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
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21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
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United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
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23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
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13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
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United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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  • Date of b. Apr 21 1981 (44)
  • Place of b. Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Weight 59 kg
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