2011 Qantas Australian Grand Prix - Post-Race Reflections & Blog Introduction

It goes without saying that as a follower of Vitaly Petrov for 2 years and a fan since he made his Formula 1 debut, the 2011 Australian Grand Prix will be one I won't soon forget. This time last year I was deeply considering whether my newfound driver was going to cause a repeat of the disappointment I'd had the previous few years following Nakajima.
This probably already explains two things about my personality when it comes to following Formula 1:
1st: I'm a sucker for an underdog.
2nd: I'm not opposed to 'pay-drivers' in the sport.
There was no point in regretting my decision however, there is no satisfaction in changing which driver you support based on his on-track performances. If that was the type of mentality I subscribed to, I may as well have just decided to support Hamilton or Alonso from the start.
Besides, as it turns out, it was his personality off-track that endeared me to him much more than his early performances. His simple and often blunt understanding of English, his honesty and of his genuinely pleasant demeanor. Clearly it's just a personal thing but I simply can't support a driver who I also wouldn't want to be friends with.

As I'm starting this blog two weeks after the Australian Grand Prix weekend, I won't put up any timing or technical information from Australia but I fully intend to from now onwards.

(March 26, 2011 - Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images AsiaPac)