Australian Grand Prix tips, predictions and best bets: McLaren to finish inside the top six and more points for Fernando Alonso

Verstappen has won both races so far this year and there are no signs it will be any different this week in Melbourne. 

Ferrari have provided the biggest challenge to the champions Red Bull so far this season, after achieving another podium finish with Charles Leclerc in Jeddah. 

In the battle for third, reports suggest Mercedes are using the round as a test for their car whilst McLaren are in good spirits after more points secured. 

Fernando Alonso is in good form though and could be a threat to McLaren this weekend. 

Here are our tips for the Australian Grand Prix. 

 

Oscar Piastri - top six finish 

McLaren’s start to the season has been far better than the last two championships, with double points finishes in both the opening rounds.

Oscar Piastri was in fine form in Jeddah, finishing an impressive fourth place just ahead of Alonso and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris in eighth.

Their nearest competitors Mercedes lack speed in high-speed sections and are considering using the three days to test their car to see if any upgrades they have will improve their performance.

With the Red Bulls and Leclerc set to make up the top three, the battle for fourth will be close and Piastri could be in the mix for that fight in his home race.

Fernando Alonso - points finish 

Aston Martin shocked the paddock last year when they had the second fastest car with Alonso scoring podium after podium.

However, this year the Aston Martin appears to be the fifth fastest with Mercedes and McLaren appearing to have a slight advantage over them.

Despite this, Alonso has been in good form securing points with Lance Stroll in the first race and then a fifth-place finish in Saudi Arabia beating both Mercedes to the finish line.

Alonso will be fighting for more points this weekend and could even challenge McLaren for a top six finish.

Charles Leclerc - podium finish

In the absence of Carlos Sainz in Jeddah, Leclerc stepped up with a podium finish and the fastest lap (race) after qualifying on the front row. 

Sainz was on the podium for Ferrari in Bahrain but missed last week after he had to have surgery for appendicitis.

Just like last season, The Prancing Horse look like the only team capable of winning a race this year other than Red Bull.

With Sainz’s return unknown, Ferrari will once again look to Leclerc to score big points for the team. 

The realistic target for him will be a second-place finish as Verstappen is out of reach. 

 

Australian Grand Prix suggested bets: 

Oscar Piastri  - top six finish

Fernado Alonso - points finish

Charles Leclerc - podium finish