The Athletic

When you think of F1 in the early 2000s, it's impossible not to associate it with the dominance of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari.

And they started how they meant to go on in the very first race of the

21st century, winning the 2000 Australian Grand Prix and getting off to a winning start

for the first time since Schumacher joined in 1996. But it wasn't a complete sign of the dominance

that was to follow in the years to come, as McLaren had locked out the front row and led the race

ahead of Schumacher

before both its cars broke down. This was still at the peak of the Ferrari v McLaren rivalry in

this era, which spilled over into off-track matters as well, with McLaren boss Ron Dennis taking

shots at Ferrari even after it won, and then getting into a war of words of ex-Ferari

driver Eddie Irvine during the weekend.

Joining me, Glenn Freeman, to recall all of that and much more from the start of 2000 are Matt Beer and Mark Hughes, who was there that weekend in Australia.

So, Mark, as you were on site for this one, you can have first go at the opening question.

When you think of the

2000 Australian Grand Prix, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Well, it was a very

significant race for me because it was the first time I'd attended in my new autosport role as an

F1 correspondent. I've done a couple of Grand Prix before, including Donington 93, but this was the

first race to the rest of my professional

life, really. It was a new world and a beautiful place at which to start, you know, and an Australian

sun in the park. So, yeah, it was very significant for me. I still remember it for that reason.

Yeah, it's very cool. I like it when it says a personal connection for someone, someone in the team.

Now, Matt, I guess there was probably more chance of you being at Castle Coom than Albert Park,

...