Formula One’s brave new world opened in Melbourne with at least something of a bang, doubtless to the relief of many who had considered its bold new era was destined for a whimper.

Yet the verdict from Albert Park was that the sport has work to do if it is to head off the distinctly troublesome spectacle of some of F1’s leading protagonists proclaiming they are rather unhappy with its new direction.

The ultimate result, a controlled and assured win for George ­Russell in the Mercedes which confirmed his car is the class of the field, was largely expected. Ferrari brought a feisty scrap to the fray, though, which suggests there is drama yet to come this season – allied to the ­inevitable questions over the ­Scuderia’s decision-making.

Equally there was a sense that the new rules, for all the derision heaped upon them over the weekend, may yet incline to a flair for the dramatic, even amid a mixed bag of responses – the whimper of discontent – from drivers.