Formula One, already one down from last year’s Australian Grand Prix, had two more outfits missing from the track when practice got under on Friday for Sunday’s race.
Both Sauber and Manor were missing when the noise finally started at Albert Park in front of a typically enthusiastic crowd.
Sauber, the team with three drivers, have been making the headlines in recent days, as they attempt to resolve who will be driving for them this season. Giedo van der Garde wants a drive, having won a Swiss arbitration panel judgement as well as two further court battles.
Sauber have also signed up two other drivers in Marcus Ericcson and Felipe Nasr. The team was being forced to set out their assets in court on Friday and team principal Monisha Kaltenborn even faced the threat of imprisonment if she refused to comply with the court order and reinstate van der Garde.
On Friday afternoon it still seemed doubtful that van der Garde could race on Sunday, because he did not have an F1 super licence. That may not be issued for a few more days, in which case the Dutch driver could expect to drive in the second race in Malaysia.
At Manor, the problems are more technical. They are still running the 2014 car, albeit one with safety classifications for 2015. But they were unable to take part in any of the testing sessions – in fact the rescue plan was only announced earlier this month.
But they are still without the software and data to enable them to run. The sunshine was brilliant at Albert Park but the spectators had reasons to feel short-changed in a very dull practice session which was dominated by Mercedes, the overwhelming favourites to retain their two world championships. Meanwhile there were more problems at McLaren, who were investigating a problem with their engine.
