Most of the great narratives of Formula One history are written about conclusions, about last-gasp wins, victory being snatched from the jaws of defeat and battles going down to the wire. If endings create drama through how they close a story and consecrate its place in history, beginnings are naturally less definitive, offering more nuanced interpretations. Whilst some opening races set the tone for the year ahead, showcase a sterling debut or herald a competitive changing of the guard, others have provided red herring winners or seen wars of attrition in the face of temperamental new cars, over-zealous rookies or regulation-resetting rule changes. Whatever the outcome, the opening race...
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