Formula 1 is back for its 68th season this year, and with it come a host of rules and regulation changes that are set to make 2017 one of the fastest and most exciting years to date.
Formula 1 has slackened restrictions in a range of categories leading into 2017, with the predominant change being in the aesthetics of the cars. This season cars are allowed to be wider, heavier and run on fatter tyres, which could cut up to as much as 5 seconds off lap times depending on conditions.
So who benefits from all these rules and regulation changes? Everyone, or no one? One thing that’s for sure is that the fans will definitely benefit with faster, louder and more exciting cars.
Now that we’ve covered that, let’s get to the Australian Grand Prix and who we think could be a chance. The race will be held at Albert Park on Sunday, the 25th of March and is set to attract hundreds of thousand fans from Melbourne across both the Saturday time trials and the race itself.
It’s always hard to predict a winner coming into the year, especially after an off-season that has seen so many major changes. In an interview with Australian media, Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo stated that Ferrari have shown the most promise with the new look cars in testing, with Kimi Raikkonen securing the best time overall. However, the aim of these regulations was to tighten up the field, and by all reports they have done that.
Drivers won’t have to worry about reigning World Champion Nico Rosberg, however, with the German driver announcing his retirement just days after claiming the 2016 title. The rest of the major players look set to go around again in 2017.
With Ferrari by all reports taking a step up this season, they could join the two powerhouse teams of 2016 in Red Bull and Mercedes, who combined, won every race of the season. Without knowing too much about how things will play out in time trials or the main race, it’s a safe bet to assume that the winner will come from one of these 3 manufacturers.
Ferrari – Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen
McLaren – Stoffel Vandoorne and Fernando Alonso
Red Bull – Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen
Nico Rosberg won last years Australian Grand Prix with Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton taking the minor placings. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them near the top again, but it’s hard to look past Ferrari here with only testing times to go by.
At $3.75, Sebastian Vettel seems like the best bet, however his teammate Kimi Raikkonen, who led testing, is who I’ve got my eyes on at $7. Odds are he’ll finish time trials somewhere near the top and the regulation changes this year have apparently made overtaking even harder. Hopefully he gets to the front and stays there. A Ferrari to win at $2.03 is also a decent saver.
TIP: Kimi Raikkonen to win the Australian grand Prix - $9 at CrownBet
TIP: Ferrari to win - $2.03 at Sportsbet
