Red Bull remain on course for a winning start to the new Formula 1 season after Max Verstappen claimed pole in Bahrain.
Locking out the front row of the grid with teammate Sergio Perez in qualifying, the two-time defending champ was again superior.
Are Red Bull finally poised to break a hoodoo and win a season opener for the first time in the turbo-hybrid era?
Verstappen is still a fairly decent 4/5 price with Midnite to take the chequered flag on Sunday.
Ferrari lurking
In our pre-weekend betting, we pointed toward Ferrari as excellent value and the evidence is there.
Though eventually forced to settle for the second row, Q1 and Q2 saw both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc clock fastest times.
The main issue that lingers is team orders could scupper any plans for The Prancing Horse.
Red Bull will be using the team block to thwart Scuderia, but Leclerc lurks at a hefty 10/1 with SpreadEx.
Alonso, Hulkenberg impress
Elsewhere, Fernando Alonso makes another sterling start to a campaign, swooping for P5.
As the two-time former world champ rolls into a new era with Aston Martin, the Spaniard was fastest in practice.
Twenty-two years on from his F1 debut in Melbourne, Alonso continues to enjoy a sparkle in his twilight years.
We have already seen his car’s pace this weekend, so a podium finish should not be ruled out at 23/10.
Nico Hulkenberg also made an impressive return to the paddock for Haas, progressing to Q3 and taking P10.
The German has been on the periphery since losing his seat but a points finish at 9/4 would please his new employers.
Both prices with 888Sport.
