The 2015 Formula 1 season is set to kick off next week in Melbourne. The moment Honda fans (and many McLaren fans) have been awaiting for years is finally here but, with a series of troubled preseason tests, doubts remain over how well the Honda-powered MP4-30 will perform or if it will even finish the race. What’s more is the team’s star driver, Fernando Alonso, is out as he recovers from a concussion suffered during a testing accident. 2014 McLaren driver, Kevin Magnussen, who finished 2nd in Melbourne in his rookie season debut, is set to take his place.

Teams such as Ferrari and Sauber indicated some additional speed found during the off-season with positive test results in Spain, however, just because they could find some additional time doesn’t mean Mercedes didn’t do the same.

Mercedes laid low for most of the preseason testing quietly logging hundreds of laps. But during the final test in Barcelona Nico Rosberg fired a warning shot by setting a fast lap in the W-06 on the soft tire which other teams couldn’t even match on the super soft.

One thing is certain: 2015 will be an exciting season for Formula 1 fans. Please check in with us here on TOV Motorsports for the latest information from McLaren Honda and, as always, be sure to let us know what you think!

WEEKEND TV SCHEDULE (US):
Friday March 13th, Practice, 12:30AM ET, NBCSN
Saturday March 14th, Qualifying, 2:00AM ET, NBCSN
Sunday March 15th, Australian Grand Prix, 1:00AM ET, NBCSN

CIRCUIT INFO:
Lap data
Lap length: 5.303km (3.295 miles)
Race laps: 58
Race distance: 307.574km (191.118 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’24.125 (226.934 kph) by Michael Schumacher, 2004
Fastest lap: 1’23.529 (228.553 kph) by Sebastian Vettel, 2011
Maximum speed: 312kph (193.868 mph)
DRS zone/s (race): First and second straight
Distance from grid to turn one: 380m
Car performance
Full throttle: 71%
Longest flat-out section: 843m
Downforce level: High
Gear changes per lap: 54
Fuel use per lap: 2.5kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.1s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop: 2012 21.91s by Ferrari (see full list)
2013 prime tyre**: Medium (2012: Medium)
2013 option tyre**: Super Soft (2012: Soft)

2014 V6 TURBO ERA RESULTS:
Race laps: 57
Pole sitter: Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes – 1:44.231
Fast race lap: Nico Rosberg – Mercedes – 1:32.478
Podium
1. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
2. Kevin Magnussen – McLaren
3. Jenson Button – McLaren

*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix **Pirelli’s compounds are softer than those used in 2012
Data sources: FIA , Williams, Mercedes