Even though there were no points to take away from the Grand Prix weekend I couldn’t be happier. We have had our second event of the year and the car was once again quick as I battled it out for top Holden with Will Davison and went very close to the new HRT man.

It feels great to be able to achieve results consistently and race at the pointy end of the grid again, I kept it there for most of the weekend and would have finished higher in race three except for a fuel pressure problem which slowed me down and allowed Russell Ingall to pass me.

As I mentioned Will and I were the top two Holdens at the weekend and it must be leaving the likes of Garth Tander, Paul Dumbrell, Tony D’alberto and even my teammate Cam McConville scratching their heads as to why the two new Walkinshaw Performance Racing drivers are coming to grips with the cars better.

While Will and I have been performing well for Holden it’s amazing to see the difference between the Ford cars. Team 888 are still getting more out of their cars than anyone else. Other teams have the same car but don’t seem to be able to get the pace out of them that Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes are.

The speed Jamie has shown in that car is plain scary. He was overtaking people around the outside through corners and was making up time hand over fist on the weekend. I have no doubt had he have not had an engine problem in qualifying that he would have blitzed the field again. Instead of that his teammate Craig Lowndes did.

In saying that I believe we can continue to improve here at Brad Jones Racing and a podium is not too far away for us. Maybe it is even possible for me to be on the dais at my home race in Hamilton, which would be a dream come true in front of all my friends and family.

It’s possible we just have to get everything right on the weekend for it to happen.

As you all know I love my Formula 1 and the weekend was no exception. It’s always a buzz to be at the Australian GP where all the action happens.

I was thrilled to see Jenson Button win the race and Rubens Barrichello finish in second. If you check back on my last post you can see I tipped the Brawn team to take out the race. So who followed my advice and backed them?

Not too long ago both Jenson and Rubens would have been fearing for their respective careers when Honda withdrew their backing from Formula 1 and it was such a feel-good moment to see two guys who have always brought a lot of personality to the track back on top and over the dramas that haunted them at Honda, and maybe just maybe there is a new dawn in F1.

On an aside I’m sure Martin Brundle was more than happy with Jenson’s win!

Having said that I don’t think it will be too long before Ferrari and McLaren get their houses in order and are back on top of the game, although I would like to be proven wrong.

It is for that very reason I believe Sebastian Vettel blew it for Red Bull. Early in the season when points are on offer for the lesser teams, you take them however you can get them and Vettel choosing not to yield to a clearly faster Robert Kubica, who had good tyres on, was actually quite stupid.

Vettel only succeeded in losing his team and Kubica and BMW points they would have otherwise had as well as podium finishes. I’m sure if he had his time over he would act differently.

As for Red Bull it was a tough day at the office. Mark Webber once again was cursed with bad luck and was caught in an incident which was not his fault as the Brawn of Rubens Barrichello damaged his car beyond repair on the opening lap.

I wonder when the Aussie will get some luck, because surely it has to turn at some point.

I’ve spent some time relaxing this week but lost golf at Eagle Ridge to a mate of mine who I now believe is an absolute burglar, which should sum up the round.

If any of you watch V8 Extra make sure you catch me on the show this week or if you are in Sydney I will be at the AAAA show at the Dayco, Infomedia or Motospecs stands.

Also thanks for all your comments in the regard to the start of the season. I appreciate the support. Keep them coming and I’ll try and answer as many as I can.

JR

Another 5th today and overall, lost a spot when fuel pressure problems slowed car towards end of race. Real solid weekend, just can’t wait to drive it again.

Still second holden today and 5th again. I didn’t have as good balance today too much turn in oversteer. Still having a good weekend though.

Top 10 went ok finished up 3rd but second holden by 0.02. So started 4th in race ended 5th I was second holden . We had to much understeer so will be better R2