(MENAFN- NewsBytes)
All you need to know about F1 season opener
24 Mar 2018
Have you been missing the roaring sounds of the revving Formula One engines?
If yes, then brace yourself for the record-breaking 21-race global tour season opener, which will kick off at Melbourne's picturesque Albert Park on Sunday.
Well then let's not keep you waiting for long and get the show on the road.
Can Hamilton win his 5th Drivers' World Championship?
Favourite
It come as no surprise that Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are the bookies' favourite to race away to the titles.
Mercedes have been dominating Formula One ever since they switched to the V6 turbo hybrid engines in 2014.
They have won 4 successive Constructors' and Drivers' World titles.
With this V6 turbo engine, Hamilton is likely to win his 5th championship.
Hamilton eyes his third title at Melbourne's Albert Park
Dominant
Hamilton is the favourite for a reason.
Hamilton has taken 7 poles from 12 attempts in Melbourne. Moreover, Mercedes have been dominant at Melbourne in the past.
They have taken 5 straight poles and won three of the last 4 races, only failing to achieve a double podium finish once during the period.
However, Hamilton has won Australian Grand Prix only twice.
Ferrari haven't run out of gas yet
Challengers
Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari are likely to give a tough challenge to Mercedes.
The 30-year-old German has topped thrice during the testing period but finished 3rd on Saturday.
Vettel is the defending champion of the Australian Grand Prix. He also won the GP at Albert Park in 2011.
He has finished 6 times on the podium in 10 races here.
Can Vettel break this record?
Fact
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel can make his own piece of history on Sunday, as his chases his 100th podium finish. If he does achieve that, he will become the 4th driver in F1 history after Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost.
Vijay Mallya's Force India eye a new beginning
Wind of change
As far as Vijay Mallya-owned Force India are concerned, they have gone ahead and brought in an entirely new car.
Apart from the front wing, everything is new.
Force India were also contemplating to change their name to make the team more attractive to sponsors, but they ran out of time.
Australia Grand Prix title has an added incentive
Fact
The winner of the Australian Grand Prix has ended up as the season champion on nine occasions since 2002. Moreover, whenever a team has finished one-two here, it has gone on to claim the Constructors' Championship.
MENAFN2403201801650000ID1096649097
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.