After two races in the Middle East, the Formula One roadshow heads to Melbourne this week for the Australian Grand Prix.
Once the traditional curtain-raiser to an F1 season, the race at Albert Park now follows Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the calendar.
World champion Max Verstappen is a firm favourite to claim his third chequered flag of the season in Australia after winning the first two races of 2024, but there is still some value to be had despite the Dutchman's dominance.
- Winner without Max Verstappen - Sergio Perez
- Fernando Alonso podium finish
- Oscar Piastri top-six finish
Perez Pushing For Maiden Win
The early signs are that Sergio Perez will have to again play second fiddle to the seemingly unstoppable force that is world champion Verstappen.
Perez has claimed second spot on the podium in the opening two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and he may again prove best of the rest down under.
The Mexican will be eager to make up for his fifth-place finish in Melbourne last year, a race Red Bull team-mate Verstappen unsurprisingly won as part of his 18 wins in 2023.
Perez has shown some good early pace this year and is worth considering in the market without the race favourite.
WINNER WITHOUT MAX VERSTAPPEN - SERGIO PEREZ
Alonso On The Up
After a sluggish start to the season in Bahrain, where he finished ninth, Fernando Alonso showed signs of improvement at Jeddah last time out.
A fifth-placed finish at the Saudi GP hinted that the two-time world champion is starting to find his groove in the new Aston Martin, and the 42-year-old finished third in Australia last year and is a previous winner at Albert Park from his time with Renault in 2006.
The Spaniard's improvement in Saudi Arabia suggests he’s worth an interest to finish on the podium in race three of 2024.
Piastri Can Delight Home Fans
Of the remainder, Aussie ace Oscar Piastri should be considered for a top-six finish at his home Grand Prix.
The Melbourne native will have the support of the Aussie crowd firmly behind him and the 22-year-old will be confident of again finishing in the points after a strong showing inJeddah.
A fourth-place finish in Saudi Arabia will have made the grid sit up and take notice of the McLaren star, who finished ahead of Alonso, George Russell and team-mate Lando Norris.
Piastri has had to race amid ongoing speculation surrounding his future, but it looks like the Australian can realise his potential in 2024.
After finishing just off the podium in Jeddah, back Piastri to finish in the top six on his home track.
