Motor sport fans from across the globe will descend on Albert Park this weekend as the third race of the Formula 1 season comes to Melbourne.
BetDeluxe looks at the best chances and if anyone can upset the Red Bull domination.
Australia
2nd April
Despite finishing second to Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, his last start in Saudi Arabia, Max Verstappen will enter this event as the clear-cut favourite with punters at $1.30.
In all likelihood, the result will come down to the Red Bull pair after they proved their car is still the one to beat with a quinella in the first two races of the season. A driveshaft issue meant Verstappen was starting further back in the grid in Jeddah, and Perez took full advantage with pole position and, ultimately, a five-second victory. To his credit, Verstappen worked back into the race for second and leads the driver’s championship 44 to Perez’s 43. If Perez is at all a chance to compete with the two-time world champion this season, his $5 quote looks very juicy.
The main danger to the leaders so far this season has been Fernando Alonso, who backed up his third placing in Bahrain with another podium in Saudi Arabia. Alonso has the Aston Martin purring this year, comfortably holding off the chasing pack from Mercedes and Ferrari. He’s currently $7.50 in the market ahead of Leclerc at $17.
Speaking of the Ferrari, can either Carlos Sainz or Leclerc hit back after finishing sixth and seventh, respectively? They’re currently fourth in the constructors’ standings, but neither has bothered the podium to date, with Sainz’s fourth in Bahrain their best result. The market has forgiven Leclerc’s issues over the first two races, as he sits at $17 ahead of his teammate at $32.
Both Lewis Hamilton ($21) and George Russell ($29) are in the top six for betting after improved performances, whereby they finished fourth and fifth in Jeddah. Mercedes should be targeting the podium after their most recent showing, with the team outperforming Ferrari and Alpine comfortably.
Outside of the majors and of note for Australian fans, Melbourne-born and raised Oscar Piastri will race here for the first time with McLaren. There’s no denying McLaren has had their issues to start the season, culminating in the departure of their Executive Technical Director, James Key. Piastri is $200 with BetDeluxe, but he’ll undoubtedly have tremendous support.
With record crowds expected at Albert Park for the second year running, expect more domination from Red Bull and more pressure from Mercedes.
Suggested Bet: L. Hamilton Top 3 @ $4.15
