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Why F1 teams are wrong about playing catch-up

A slow start to an F1 season, it's often said, is not the end of the world. But in reality, and through history, just how important is starting on the front foot to mounting a championship challenge?

Usain Bolt is a slow starter. It's all relative of course, as he's still fast enough out of the blocks to outsprint anyone over 100 or 200 metres, but he doesn't have to be ahead from the start to win spectacularly.

Some will have you believe the same is true of a grand prix season. A bad Australian Grand Prix? Don't worry about it, it's an unusual track, strange things happen. A bad first four races of the season? No matter - wait until the Spanish Grand Prix and all the upgrades change the game.

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