The world’s best drivers are set to grace Albert Park in Melbourne for the eagerly anticipated 2024 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.
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Max Verstappen arrives in Melbourne as the defending champion for the first time, following his triumph in last year’s exhilarating contest. Australian Formula 1 enthusiasts can anticipate witnessing their beloved drivers in action, including the formidable duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell representing Mercedes, as well as Charles Leclerc donning Ferrari red alongside teammate Carlos Sainz, who is returning to the grid after recovering from appendicitis, which sidelined him for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
| Australian Grand Prix 2024 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | -500 | -500 | -556 |
| Sergio Perez | +750 | +800 | +750 |
| Charles Leclerc | +1100 | +1400 | +1100 |
| George Russell | +3300 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Lando Norris | +3300 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +3300 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Fernando Alonso | +4000 | +5000 | +4000 |
| Oscar Piastri | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Daniel Ricciardo | +50000 | +50000 | +50000 |
Verstappen naturally assumes the role of the frontrunner, but it’s worth keeping an eye on Leclerc, who has already demonstrated his prowess in Melbourne by clinching victory in 2022.
Leclerc kicked off his 2024 campaign with a stellar performance, securing his first podium finish in the recent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, just a week after his teammate Carlos Sainz also clinched third place in Bahrain. Starting from second position behind eventual winner Max Verstappen in both races, Leclerc’s season has begun on a significantly more positive note compared to last year. In the previous season opener, he retired early, and Ferrari struggled with race pace issues, hampering their ability to challenge Red Bull. Despite finishing with an 18-second gap behind Verstappen in Jeddah, Leclerc remains optimistic, emphasizing Ferrari’s progress compared to the previous season. He believes this improvement indicates that Ferrari could potentially exert pressure on Red Bull if they maintain their current trajectory.
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Two Australian drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri, have experienced differing starts to their respective seasons. Ricciardo’s performances have seen him finish 13th and 16th in the opening two races, contrasting sharply with Piastri’s achievements.
Piastri secured an impressive eighth-place finish in Bahrain before narrowly missing out on a podium spot in Jeddah, where he crossed the line in fourth. With each new year comes changes in the driver lineups, and one significant change for 2024 is the return of Daniel Ricciardo, who rejoined the grid midway through 2023.
Piastri, driving for McLaren, aims to improve upon his previous performance at Albert Park, where he finished 16th in last year’s race, and will be targeting a points finish this time around.
Mercedes currently occupies the sixth spot in the Constructors’ Championship with 26 points, a significant 61 points adrift from the leading Red Bull team.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix posed a formidable challenge for Mercedes, especially evident in their struggles through the high-speed corners, raising concerns among both fans and analysts. Lewis Hamilton, the illustrious seven-time world champion, expressed his frustrations over the Jeddah weekend, pointing out a lack of rear stability in their W15 car, particularly noticeable in the swift and sweeping Sector 1.
Mercedes’ pace seemed notably inferior compared to their rivals from Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren. Despite their efforts, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton could only secure sixth and ninth positions, respectively, in the Saudi Arabian GP, leaving them with plenty of reflections and adjustments to make.
With this in mind, I won’t be backing the Mercedes drivers in Australia.
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About the Author
Henry began his journey in the betting industry before transitioning into a writing career. While his expertise lies in soccer, golf, and darts, he covers a wide range of sports from across the globe. Armed with a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry climbed the ladder at William Hill in England. Beyond sports writing, he has also achieved success in the Property and Finance sectors, where he continues to be active. Now based in Barcelona, Henry enjoys the city’s vibrant sports culture and plays golf year-round as a member of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.
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