F1 is well and truly back! There are cars on track for the first race weekend of the year and it’s thrown up some surprises to the usual pecking order.

Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso. Two words that will probably epitomise this weekend, fastest in FP2 and second quickest in FP1 has got to be an indication of some pace in that green machine. Slightly concerned for Lance though, I think he’s back too soon and the radio messages do concur.

Red Bull: As per usual Red Bull are fast but this time with both cars almost evenly matched. I think it could be close at the front this weekend which will be a great sporting spectacle.

Ferrari: Leclerc was consistent on track with P5 and P4 in the two sessions but Sainz was nowhere to be seen as he did not make the top ten in either session.

Haas: A decent show of pace from the returning Hulkenberg with P5 in FP2 and Magnussen was P7 in FP1. If the cards fall their way then points may be on the table for Haas.

Mercedes: A disappointing showing for Mercedes with Russell not making the top ten in either session while Hamilton’s best was P8 in FP2. That car is either hiding a desert worth of sandbags or is genuinely slow.

Alfa Romeo: A consistent day for Alfa Romeo with both cars in the lower reaches of the top ten. If Mercedes don’t get their act together then they too could be in with a chance at the points – it’ll all be going on in the midfield.

McLaren: Hard to gauge the pace of the McLaren but Norris made the top ten in both sessions (with P4 in FP1) while Piastri loitered around just outside of the top ten not really doing anything remarkable.

Alpine: The brilliantly pink Alpine doesn’t seem to have much speed in it as both drivers spent all of FP1 in the lower reaches of the timesheets. Gasly made it up to P7 in FP2 but I’m not sure about that car.

AlphaTauri: Despite a new driver, AlphaTauri look in the same place they were last year, almost bringing up the rear. Tsunoda did make it to P13 in FP1 but I can’t see things going greatly for them.

Williams: Another year, another slow Williams. Unfortunately, I think they’ll be keeping the title of slowest car on the grid as they don’t seem to have much pace.

Do comment your thoughts below.