When Formula 1 last travelled to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix the world was gripped in uncertainty. With the cars sitting in pitlane the difficult decision to cancel the race was taken and suddenly for the motorsport world the Covid-19 pandemic became real. Returning to Albert Park last weekend the sense of relief was clear for everyone; normality has returned.

In Melbourne normality also returned to the race track. Rather than DRS (the Drag Reduction System that aids overtaking) and strategy deciding the outcome of the race, it was the sheer pace of Charles Leclerc and Ferrari that defined it.

For the first time in years Ferrari are the team to beat and Leclerc is taking full advantage of this. He leads the World Championship by 34 points after three races. Winning the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix gave him momentum but last weekend in Australia will have been worth even more. Pole Position, fastest lap and leading every lap gives an indication of his incredible performance.

This season had been defined by the on track battle where DRS offers the chasing driver a top speed advantage to make an overtaking move. Despite having four DRS zones in Melbourne nobody could get close to Leclerc on raw pace to have even a sniff of an overtaking move.

Leclerc is now the complete article. He's proved himself to be fast over a single lap and capable of winning wheel to wheel battles. Now he's also proved he can win from the front and maintain a relentless pace. The Monaco native is now the man to beat in Formula 1.

The acrimony of last year's title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton has been put behind Formula 1 and a new battle has begun; stopping Ferrari and Leclerc in the coming races.

Check the action live on channel 309 - ESPN Extra - on your Digicel+ Service.