Disclaimer
The picks and strategies mentioned in this article are solely the opinions of the author, based on their analysis and understanding of Formula 1 fantasy. These suggestions are provided for informational purposes only and do not guarantee success in any fantasy league or betting activity. The author does not take any responsibility for the outcomes of using these suggestions, and individuals are encouraged to make their own decisions based on their research and analysis. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
At the start of each F1 season, the focus shifts to the evolving pecking order, which is now beginning to solidify after the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The order will likely continue to reveal strengths and weaknesses of each team up to Japan or even China, but some patterns are already emerging. Red Bull leads the pack once more and seems likely to maintain this position throughout the year. Their strength lies in their well-rounded car and also the fact that they make so few mistakes. However, Ferrari appears much stronger than last year, and look strong to pose a challenge to the front-running Bulls. McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin form the midfield, each having the potential to shine on circuits that suit their cars. Haas has shown promise in the first two rounds, while Alpine seems to have taken a step (or ten) back to the bottom of the pack, at least for now. The Australian Grand Prix offers another opportunity to observe any further changes in the pecking order. It's a semi-permanent track not used for the rest of the year, so expect high track evolution, especially with all the support categories. With an average speed of 247 kph, it's the second-fastest street circuit after Jeddah, featuring many fast-flowing medium and high-speed corners. Like Saudi Arabia, cars with a more responsive front end could excel due to the rapid direction changes required. Albert Park is considered a 'street' track as part of the lap runs on public roads, but unlike Jeddah, there is more margin for error as the walls aren’t as close. Pirelli is bringing their softest tyre compounds (C5, C4, and C3) to offer more strategic options in what has largely been a one-stop race. However, Australia is known for its early- season chaos, with every race at Albert Park seeing a minimum of three retirements, and last year's race featuring eight. Consider this while selecting your teams, as it could also lead to the safety car making an appearance. NOTE - The driver and team valuations have changed since the Saudi Arabian GP and are more reflective of the current pecking order. Therefore, choose your teams wisely based on the latest developments.
Prime Picks
Max Verstappen - Continues to be the standout choice among all drivers. In the form of his life, Verstappen's exceptional consistency and lack of any slip-ups make him a safe, albeit costly, bet. With the opportunity to equal his record of ten consecutive race wins, Red Bull will likely go to great lengths to support his quest for another milestone.
Charles Leclerc - The next strongest contender after Verstappen. In fact, Leclerc has started on the front row in each of the last seven races. Plus, the nature of the Albert Park track should also suit Ferrari, with less concern for tire degradation compared to other circuits.
Steady Picks
Oscar Piastri - The local driver has shown steady performance, finishing P4 in Jeddah. Racing in front of his home crowd could boost his performance, and McLaren's strength in high-speed corners, as seen in Jeddah, bodes well for Albert Park.
Nico Hulkenberg - Offers a steady option at a reasonable price, especially with Haas showing improvement in recent races. Hulkenberg has scored in six of his last seven visits to Australia, making him a reliable choice for balancing your team.
Punts
George Russell - Mercedes had a puzzling performance at Jeddah, yet Russell has looked the more consistent driver between him and Lewis Hamilton with two top-six results this year. Mercedes has always been on the podium in Australia in the hybrid era, and Russell could look to capitalize on this weekend's race.
Alex Albon - Despite Williams' claims of a better car, their performance hasn't stood out yet. In a potentially chaotic race, Albon could shine if he avoids any crashes, especially considering his past success at Albert Park.
Proceed with caution regarding Carlos Sainz or Oliver Bearman. Sainz is recovering and his participation will be decided after FP1 on Friday. Even if he races, he may not be at 100% fitness. Bearman, while possibly more prepared than before, may not justify his cost compared to other options.
My team - Max Verstappen (40 mil) + Oscar Piastri (34 mil) + Kick Sauber (26 mil)
Budget left - 0 mil
My team - Charles Leclerc (36 mil) + Alex Albon (28 mil) + Ferrari (36 mil)
Budget left - 0 mil
Stats and facts -
In the last ten Australian GPs, the pole-sitter has won only thrice. Interestingly, more races have been won from second on the grid (four times) than from pole during this period.
Another podium for Verstappen this weekend, would mark his 101st in the sport. Among the six drivers with over 100 podiums in F1, five marked their 101st podium with a race triumph. Fernando Alonso was the lone exception, finishing third in last year’s Australian GP.
Verstappen has never been outqualified by any of his Red Bull teammates at the Melbourne track.
Sergio Perez has made it the top-10 in qualifying on only three occasions in Melbourne out of his 11 previous visits. He has managed a top-four finishers only once, a P2 in 2022.
Sainz scored points in his first four races in Australia but has not scored at this circuit since 2018. He has also never started in the top four at this track.
Ferrari has secured more front-row positions in the last seven races (8) than Red Bull has (5).
F1 StatsGuru, also known as Sundaram Ramaswami, is a motorsport statistician and digital content creator. He runs the largest stats-based community on the internet and provides statistics to leading media houses in motorsport such as The Race, Motorsport, and Autosport. His stats have been featured on global broadcasts by
David Croft, Will Buxton, and others. Despite his professional background in telecom engineering, his love for statistics developed over a decade of playing F1 fantasy
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