Australian Grand Prix Preview: Red Bull to overturn a decade’s drought?

Following a thrilling race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia, the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship heads to Australia for the third round of action.

We preview the best of the action below.

Red Bull set to reclaim Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit

Believe it or not, Red Bull have not picked up a win at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit since 2011, when Sebastian Vettel secured victory. Twelve years later, Max Verstappen has made it clear that reclaiming the top spot in Australia is in the forefront of his mind.

Verstappen and Sergio Perez have already made their mark this season with two dominant performances in the Middle East, taking a win each to land themselves first and second in the standings with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso trailing far behind in third place, despite his two podium finishes.

We are only two races into the season, so Red Bull won’t want to ease off the gas pedal just yet. The circuit will pose its own unique challenges with its high-speed corners, but the overarching message from the team is clear; consistency is key.

Verstappen is the heavy favourite in the betting, with the Dutchman 4/11 to produce the fastest qualifier and 1/3 to be the eventual race winner. Perez is the clear second favourite in the market at 7/2 to make the fastest qualifier and 9/2 to win the race. Who is going to stand in their way?

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The rest of the field

Both Aston Martin and Ferrari will be looking at Red Bull’s record at this track and seeing it as an opportunity to potentially capitalise. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll make up Aston Martin’s team, with Alonso’s two podium finishes earning Aston Martin second place in the standings on 38 points, more than a little way off Red Bull’s 87 points.

There is no hiding a win here would be massive for Aston Martin, and Alonso seems the most likely candidate to achieve this feat as the third favourite for both the fastest qualifier (15/2), and the race winner at 7/1.

Ferrari’s team is represented by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, with Sainz racking up a better position in both races so far, having finished 4th in the opening round and 6th last time out. Despite this, Leclerc is favoured in the betting at 18/1 to win the race while Sainz is an outside 40/1 shot.

As a team, Ferrari have still been unable to get off the ground and are currently lagging behind their main rivals in fourth place. Ferrari do have a strong history at this circuit however – winning 10 of their 26 appearances here.

Mercedes have been open about their blunders so far this season, admitting that their car has been sub-standard. It has reflected in both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s driving, with the pair failing to make a podium on either race thus far.

This seems unlikely to change given Aston Martin and Ferrari’s potential aspirations at this track, without even considering Red Bull. Though, if you do fancy Hamilton or Russell to break into the podium for the first time, they are both 4/1 to crack into that heavily contested top three spot.

The verdict

While the other teams will clearly see Australia as one of their best shots at that elusive first place finish, it seems unlikely that Red Bull will cave on this one, bar any unpredictable circumstances. The team’s focus on consistency and the drivers’ passion to take home their first victory at this track since 2011 will surely take them over the line.

Should any of the other drivers manage to steal the top spot, it would undoubtedly be Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Given Red Bull’s poor recent form at this track, backing the next best driver at 7/1 seems a steal, especially considering Alonso’s two third place finishes so far.

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