When 22-year-old Daniel Ricciardo and 35-year-old Mark Webber line up on the grid today it will be the first time ever two Australians have started an FIA-sanctioned Australian Grand Prix.
It’s an amazing stat when you consider there are no Italian drivers in F1 this year. You have to wind the clock back over four decades to 1969 to see when that last happened. Indeed, in 1989, the year of Ricciardo’s birth, there were 14 Italian drivers in F1. Now, the young West Australian with his latin heritage is Italy’s best hope, alongside Scotsman Paul di Resta.
Further rubbing it into the Italians is the fact that Ricciardo will start today’s race as the highest qualifier using Ferrari power. The factory Ferraris are back in P12 and P16, while the Ferrari-powered Saubers qualified in P13 and P17.
We’ve taken inspiration for our headline from a recent commenter here at AUSmotive and we’re sure all our readers will join us in wishing Daniel and Mark the best of luck for this afternoon’s race.
One reply on “AusGP: 2 Aussies 0 Italians”
Nice. Thanks guys. Hope the two Aussies have a fantastic year.