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Tag: F1 2023

  • Formula 1 | Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    Formula 1 | Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    The Singapore Grand Prix was a reminder of the excitement Formula 1 can deliver when the playing field is leveled for Red Bull Racing.

    Was Team principle Christian Horner correct in his insistence that FIA’s clampdown on flexible bodywork had no impact to the team’s performance this weekend? It appears suspicious that such a dramatic decline in pace should come directly following this rule change. Nevertheless, fans were treated to a rare five-car battle for the lead in Sunday’s thriller, nearer to expectations heading into the season. 

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    Red Bull’s rotten week

    It’s fair to say, it was a week to forget for Red Bull, both on and off track. Even before arriving at Marina Bay, the Milton Keynes outfit dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Following Dr. Helmut Marko’s incendiary comments, Red Bull’s Advisor to the Team appeared to blame Sergio Perez’ poor performances on his ethnicity. The FIA were under heavy pressure to act throughout the week, and finally reprimanded the 80-year-old. However, many felt his punishment lacked severity.

    Ryanair Join Debate Surrounding Helmut Marko On Social Media

    Red Bull have been untouchable throughout 2023, but sentiment of this kind threatens to divert attention away from their stellar season. 

    No flexi-wings, no pace

    Christian Horner was staunch in defence of his team’s compliance with F1 rules this weekend. This came following an FIA technical directive ahead of the Singapore to control the flexibility of aerodynamic parts. Horner’s comments were, by and large, echoed by team principles across the paddock.

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    Many appeared to dismiss the idea that Red Bull could suffer such a sudden decline following a small rule tweak. However, fans can be forgiven for thinking the team have been pegged back judging by their weekend performance.

    Related: Relentless Verstappen Bent On Season Dominance

    After both cars failed to make Q3 after electing not to pit under an early safety car, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez found themselves tumbling down the order. Remarkably, Singapore was the first time the Dutchman has been passed on track this season. The true impact of the rule change on Red Bull’s performance won’t be measured until Japan next weekend. Regardless, the Austrian manufacturer can still clinch their second consecutive constructors title at Suzuka.

    Rivals’ gain

    As the top dogs floundered, the chasing pack wasted no time in capitalising. Following a Virtual Safety Car period, Sunday’s race exploded into life, prompting Mercedes to pit both their cars with fresh tyres. As the pressure piled on Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton charged toward the leaders, with the latter the faster of the pair.

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    As Russell struggled to make progress behind Lando Norris, Hamilton was vocal on the radio in his attempts to hurry his teammate along. Pressures of the seven-time champion then saw Russell eventually crash on worn tires during the final lap, after clipping a wall. Sainz cruised home to victory ahead of Norris, as Hamilton trundled home to claim a 196th career podium. Mercedes are now approaching their ideal set-up; inevitably, disharmony between the Brit duo could now appear. The relationship may become truly tested if wins become a more frequent possibility.

     

    Click here for a free bet on Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

    Claim odds of 16/1 with William Hill for Carlos Sainz to repeat his Singapore victory at Suzuka.

     

    Next: Williams’ Albon Thriving In Team Leader Role

  • Formula 1 | Singapore Hope as Chasing Pack Look to Thwart Red Bull

    Formula 1 | Singapore Hope as Chasing Pack Look to Thwart Red Bull

    The Singapore Grand Prix has delivered some thrilling Formula 1 races in recent years and last year’s event was no exception.

    Sergio Perez fought off Charles Leclerc to take victory, capitalising on teammate Max Verstappen’s lowly grid position.

    Looking a little further back in history, 2017’s rain-soaked start saw Sebastian Vettel swerve off the line, colliding with Kimi Raikkonen and Verstappen, to end the race for all three drivers. 

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    The Asian stop has also seen its fair share of controversy too.

    2008 saw Renault instruct Nelson Piquet JR to crash, ultimately allowing teammate Fernando Alonso to pit under the resulting safety car and set himself up for victory. 

    Jumping back to the present, during a season where Red Bull look to sweep the board, the streets of Singapore present an opportunity for the chasers to break the team’s dominance.  

    But who could make a statement in Sunday’s Grand Prix?

    Hungry Hamilton

    Four-time winner in Singapore, Lewis Hamilton, returns eager for another victory to back up his season form.

    The seven-time champion has fond memories of Marina Bay and 2018 saw the Briton deliver one of his most complete pole laps in a struggling Mercedes that weekend.

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    Hamilton, one race win from equalling the record for Singapore victories, will be keen to play on the strengths of his Mercedes. 

    Related: Mercedes’ Hamilton Keen to Continue Season Momentum

    High downforce circuits have seen the team’s most competitive performances this season.

    Hamilton claimed pole in Budapest and was P2 in Barcelona – a double podium for the Silver Arrows. 

    At a circuit he thrives on, the Stevenage driver will hope to break his on-going and rather thorny drought.

    Leclerc lurks

    Charles Leclerc was at the centre of much of the entertainment last time out at Monza.

    His battles with Perez and teammate Carlos Sainz had the Tifosi on the edge of their seats at the Temple of Speed.

    Leclerc will have been disappointed at being unable to challenge the pace of Verstappen, restricted to fight for the lower steps on the podium.

    However, the Monegasque driver will have been encouraged that his Ferrari was the second quickest car.

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    Singapore’s twisty street circuit presents an alternative challenge to Italy and Leclerc has performed strongly on similar high downforce layouts this season.

    Baku saw him convert pole into a podium finish, with a similarly strong result in Canada. 

    The Ferrari driver will hope to replicate his pace from 2022 here, when he pushed Perez closely throughout to finish as eventual runner-up.

    Notwithstanding, Leclerc will be wary of better performing teams around him.

    Alonso hopes

    Marina Bay presents Fernando Alonso with another opportunity to win in 2023. 

    At the Monaco GP, the Spaniard had a chance to leapfrog Verstappen to take the lead had his team opted to pit a lap earlier. 

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    Despite missing out on the win, it was Aston Martin’s most competitive showing of the season.

    The similarity between the two circuits will offer encouragement to Alonso, who is winless since 2013. 

    With second place at Zandvoort recently, there is every chance both the team and Alonso can compete at the front end of the grid this weekend. 

     

    Click here for a free bet on this weekend’s Singapore grand Prix

    Use a free bet to Claim odds of 18/1 for Alonso to win the Singapore Grand Prix

     

    Next: Albon Thriving In William’s Team Leader Role

  • Formula 1 | Albon Thriving In Williams Team Leader Role

    Formula 1 | Albon Thriving In Williams Team Leader Role

    Williams’ Alex Albon, fresh from a stellar performance in Zandvoort, delivered a second consecutive points finish with P7 in Sunday’s Italian GP. 

    The Anglo-Thai driver as been a standout performer throughout 2023.

    Often, he has utilised his car’s low drag design to deliver deliver valuable points for the team. 

    Albon has been able to frequently showcase the talent that earned him a mid-season promotion to Red Bull back in 2020, when many felt he was unfairly relieved of his drive a season later.

    Now, he appears to be thriving in a settled underdog role with Williams, a team in the process of re-building under former Mercedes’ strategist James Vowles’ leadership. 

    Let’s look at Albon’s performances so far and assess his prospects heading into the final eight rounds of the season. 

    A natural team leader

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    Fresh from a year as Red Bull’s reserve driver, Albon has adopted a natural leadership role within the Williams setup alongside rookie Logan Sargeant. 

    With the security of a multi-year contract announced over the summer break, a new confidence in the driver both on and off track is now present. 

    Although Williams have progressed from their position of last in the standings, the car is not yet a regular points scoring package. 

    However, Albon has maximised the car’s straight-line speed advantage to finish inside the top 10 in Monza and on four other occasions this season.

    Although the team expected progress, they perhaps did not expect such a points tally with over a third of the season still remaining. 

    Related: Verstappen Edges Towards F1 Title At Monza

    Both Albon and his team understand their car’s strengths and have maximised them where circumstances have allowed.

    Often, they have opted for an early pit stop in a Grand Prix. In doing so, they have secured track position facing rivals with with the challenge of overtaking the low-drag Williams. 

    With a clear understanding between team and driver, Albon is now finding the form that earned him early career praise.

    Williams will hope he can build on consecutive points finishes as they target seventh in the constructor’s championship. 

     

    Opportunities remaining in 2023

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    Albon leaves the European portion of the season looking ahead to the remaining circuits that have potential to suit the Williams car.

    The inaugural Las Vegas GP in November will host the penultimate race of the year.

    Initial circuit map images indicate the track will suit low downforce, boasting a straight stretching over one kilometre in distance. 

    Then as the season concludes once again in Abu Dhabi, the venue introduced a new circuit layout in 2021 which aided overtaking with redesigned corners.

    Williams could be in business at Yas Marina.

    Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton proved overtaking has been aided by the changes during their controversial title showdown that year. 

    Before both stops however, Sau Paulo and Texas also offer long stretches of flat out asphalt, both of which will benefit teams whose cars can deliver high top-end speeds. 

    The stakes for Williams and Albon

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    Williams and Albon in particular can thrive in the season’s final races. 

    For midfield teams, constructor’s positions are often valued higher than those at the front of the grid.

    Direct correlation to next year’s spending budget and testing time mean there is an opportunity to make large performance gains to move up the grid for next term.

    Albon will be keen to continue accumulating top 10 finishes. Should the former Red Bull driver continue on his current trajectory, he will be on course to achieve the highest finish by a Williams driver since 2016. 

     

    To get into pole position for the remainder of the F1 season, click here for a free bet.

    Sergio Perez claimed victory in last season’s Singapore Grand Prix. Claim odds of 17/2 for the Mexican to repeat his victory this year with William Hill. 

     

    Next: Red Bull Threaten 2023 Clean Sweep

  • Formula 1 | Verstappen Edges Toward Title At Monza

    Formula 1 | Verstappen Edges Toward Title At Monza

    World Drivers Championship leader Max Verstappen continued his surge towards a third title in last Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix.

    Picking up a ninth consecutive victory, the Dutchman equaled a record set by former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel in 2013.

    However, unlike some of his drives this season, it was not plain sailing in Zandvoort, as Verstappen now closes on the crown at Monza.

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    Downpour chaos

    Last weekend, a rain deluge on Lap 1 caused chaos with the grid all running on dry tyres.

    During the average F1 season, it is rare that a circuit becomes soaked as quickly as Zandvoort did last Sunday afternoon.

    As the lights went out, the heavens opened.

    By half way around the opener, it was clear wet tyres would be required as the drivers scrambled to the pits.

    Related: Red Bull threaten season sweep

    This handed the advantage to Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez. He would lead the early stages with more rain, safety cars and red flags all proving obstacles for the reigning champion.

    Perez and Pierre Gasly were among the drivers that reaped the rewards from pitting instantly, while those that stayed out ultimately lost time.

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    Verstappen, who elected to stay out for an extra lap, dropped towards the lower end of the points positions. Worse off, Mercedes’ pair of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell found themselves bringing up the rear. Hamilton, at one stage, was in 20th and last place.

    The eventual drying track allowed drivers that were caught out by the rain to make amends.

    Verstappen was able to close in and undercut Perez for the lead while Hamilton would recover to sixth courtesy of some brave overtakes.

    If there is a threat of rain for this weekend’s Italian GP, expect Verstappen’s advantage over the field to be greater still.

    Ultimately, the pace of Verstappen and the Red Bull was again no match for the field last weekend, however, there were several outstanding performances across the grid.

    Could form spill over into Monza?

     

    Midfield chances

    The changeable conditions presented rare chances for midfield teams to claim a haul of points in last time out.

    It was Gasly who capitalised on the ground made by his early pit stop to deliver a first podium since 2021.

    Alpine will be encouraged that even in the dry conditions, the Frenchman was able to catch and pass Carlos Sainz’ Ferrari to eventually benefit from Perez’ own time penalty –  claiming third place.

    The upturn in pace comes at a perfect time for the Enstone-based team. Monza was the scene of Gasly’s maiden and only F1 win to date. Alpine will be looking to continue their momentum at a circuit their driver holds fond memories of.

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    Williams’ Alex Albon, meanwhile, continued his fine season with eighth place in the Netherlands.

    Initially electing to stay out with dry tyres on a wet track, Albon would ultimately save himself a whole pit stop. He managed the dry tyres on a wet track brilliantly to ensure he had enough grip left when the conditions improved.

    WIlliams are another outfit looking forward to the Italian GP and their car has consistently shown excellent top speed levels due to their low-drag design.

    Expect Albon to qualify well on the Temple of Speed’s infamous straights and be difficult to overtake on race day.

    McLaren and Mercedes falter

    Rivals for second place in the constructors standings, McLaren and Mercedes, both had sub-par races in Zandvoort.

    Poor strategy calls saw the duo elect to stay out on dry tyres in a hope that the rain would pass.

    However, this saw both Lando Norris and Russell drop from second and third respectively to outside the points completely.

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    The pair would eventually come together in the race’s closing stages as a resulting puncture for Russell saw the Briton fail to finish for the third time this season.

    Hamilton, last at one stage, managed to battle back to a sixth place finish with Norris seventh and Oscar Piastri ninth.

    Although both teams will be keen to bounce back, Monza may not be the most likely of races to deliver a strong showing.

    Italy could be a defining stop on this season’s calendar.

     

    Click here for free bets for the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

    Verstappen is 7/4 to win, qualify on pole and set the fastest lap in Italy with William Hill.

  • F1 Champions Threaten To Take Clean Sweep In 2023

    F1 Champions Threaten To Take Clean Sweep In 2023

    SF1 champions Red Bull Racing have so far dominated the 2023 season. It has has seen their rivals scrambling for answers from race to race in an attempt to close the gap.

    The year has not been short of unpredictable outcomes and entertaining storylines. However, predicting the race winning team has so far not proven to be a difficult task.

    Where many expected the field to condense, Red Bull have taken a huge step forward in performance.

    As a result, they now find themselves in a position to complete a season clean sweep, an accolade that is yet to be claimed in the sport’s history.

    Here, we discuss the likelihood of the team being able to claim the season’s remaining race victories.

     

    The size of Red Bull’s pace advantage

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    The pace advantage of the RB19 has been evident by some of the winning margins achieved so far in their 12 victories.

    In particular, Max Verstappen has been able to consistently take the flag with a lead in excess of 20 seconds to the nearest competitor. 

    There had been rumours of potential stumbling blocks throughout the season which could pose a threat to their perfect year – one being the Monaco Grand Prix.

    However, with this event navigated despite mid race rain and a challenge from Fernando Alonso, the target appears to becoming more and more realistic with every weekend. 

    Verstappen eventually claimed victory by 27 seconds on the shortest and highest risk circuit of the year. This achievement truly underlined the car’s peak levels of performance. 

    With Max in seamless form, he only adds to argument that Red Bull could stop their rivals from taking the chequered flag at any race this season. 

     

    The Potential Threats

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    As ever in Formula 1, there are no foregone conclusions. Reliability, driver mistakes, weather and strategic errors can quickly put pain to an excellent result. 

    Red Bull have been near flawless in terms of their car’s reliability. However, the team must still navigate the longest season to date which has the potential to put strain on the engine and gearbox.

    Related: Relentless Verstappen Bent on Season Dominance

    This is something very much beyond the control of the team, as a failure can occur at any time, putting an end to a magnificent run. 

    This season has also thrown up many surprises in terms of weather, with rain affecting a number of Grand Prix’s so far. 

    The drivers and team will need to ensure they stay vigilant should such a scenario arise. A lapse in concentration is often more costly in wet conditions. 

     

    The chasing pack’s challenge

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    Throughout the first half of the season, Red Bull have been completely out of reach on pure pace.

    Fernando Alonso initially threatened to challenge at the front. From Monaco onwards, this challenge has faltered, along with the pace of the Aston Martin. 

    Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are the only non-Red Bull drivers to manage a pole position this season. Despite this, the pair  lacked the pace to maintain the lead on race day. 

    Last season, Mercedes did manage to claim a victory in the latter stages of the season. They were able to capitalise on their rivals changing their development focus to the following season’s car. 

    Related: F1: Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton keen to continue season momentum.

    This may present an opportunity for Red Bull’s rivals to steal a victory in the twilight of the F1 season. A new venue in Las Vegas is an unknown for all of the teams. It could pose a threat to the perfect record. . 

    There is no doubting that the team’s motivation to achieve this will be high. They will therefore be difficult to stop on pure pace alone and may only be halted by external factors. 

     

    You can claim odds of 12/1 at Unibet for Sergio Perez to win the Dutch GP this weekend in the dominant Red Bull.

    Do you think Red Bull will claim victory at every race in 2023? Click here to claim three £10 free bets. 

    Next: familiarise yourself with some of the other stand-out performers from the first half of the 2023 season. 

  • Formula 1 | Alonso ready to defy Red Bull in Austria

    Formula 1 | Alonso ready to defy Red Bull in Austria

     

    Round 9 of the Formula 1 season arrives at the Red Bull Ring this weekend for the Austrian Grand Prix.

    With more points available on this, a Sprint weekend, who can defy the odds in Spielberg?

     

    Best bet for the win

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    Max Verstappen, the unanimous leader in the Driver’s Championship, is by some distance the best bet.

    The Dutchman will compete in front of a home Red Bull crowd this weekend, looking to win for a fifth time around the Red Bull Ring.

    Teammate Sergio Perez, with the same set-up however, continues to push hard.

    The Mexican, who failed to score in Monaco and was podium-less in both Spain and Canada, is slightly longer odds with patchy form.

    Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, has shown Aston Martin do have winning potential.

    The Spaniard’s race craft in Canada proved that with the car’s much-needed upgrades, the Silverstone-based team are close to scoring their first-ever win.

     

    Sainz safe bet for podium

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    Mercedes are teasing a return to race-winning form, but is it a false dawn?

    As the Brackley manufacturer try to maximise the potential of the W14, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are now consistent podium threats.

    Ferrari’s fiery Spaniard, Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, is looking to impress after a fifth-place finish in front of his home crowd in Spain and last time out in Canada.

    But the Scuderia driver’s points advantage over Russell, is now just three points in fifth.

    Nevertheless, Ferrari are in the frame for third in the Constructor’s Championship.

    Charles Leclerc, however, has the odds stacked against him with a 14-point gap to his teammate.

    Yet, with Leclerc having secured the only podium finish for the Prancing Horse this term and with a P4 in Montreal, they remain in the mix.

     

    Ocon to score points

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    Alpine, so far this season, have demonstrated they are the strongest team in midfield.

    With Esteban Ocon scoring a podium in Monaco, the team from Enstone can achieve points with ease.

    For the moment, McLaren are their main rivals for fifth place and it is worth noting also Lando Norris scored a podium here back in 2020.

    Can the Bristolian emulate the same success this weekend?

    When the lights go out Sunday, all will be revealed.

    BetFred

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    What can we expect at Austrian Grand Prix? Find out here. 

  • Relentless Verstappen bent on season dominance

    Relentless Verstappen bent on season dominance

    The 2023 Formula 1 season so far has witnessed the continued dominance of Max Verstappen.

    As Red Bull Racing assert their authority having won all eight races, Verstappen is on four-in-a-row after Canada.

    With the Dutchman already holding a 69-point lead, can anyone stop his relentless assault on a third World title?

     

    Verstappen monopoly

    Verstappen’s ascension in Formula 1 has continued to create headlines.

    Since his debut back in 2015, the same raw talent has been honed as a driver now without doubt the top dog in F1.

    Portraying a more mature race craft to challenge the status quo, both Verstappen and the Milton Keynes outfit appear unstoppable.

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    Chasing pack

    Of the pursuing band, Aston Martin and a resurgent Fernando Alonso have proved there is potential to break up the 100% record of Red Bull.

    Mercedes, meanwhile, remain in transition but are beginning show their hand with the return of James Allison as Technical Director.

    Even Lewis Hamilton has shown signs of a return to past glories.

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    With major upgrades elevating not only the car but the morale of the team, the results may come sooner rather than later.

    For the many that argue F1 has returned to its days a pure procession, behind the two leading drivers the competition is percolating.

    Reliability issues remain of course, and weather will be on hand to throw the spectre of the unpredictable into the mix.

    Verstappen is not immune to these elements.

     

    Possible season twist?

    So is this season’s title race hurtling toward a foregone conclusion?

    If Alonso and Mercedes do find their respective hats and toss them into the ring, Ferrari also linger.

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    Despite the huge cushion Verstappen has built, the half-way mark this term is yet to be reached, with a summer break also.

    There could yet be a twist in the offing.

    Watch this space.

     

    BetFred

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    What can we expect at Austrian Grand Prix? Find out here. 

  • F1 Sprint returns for Austrian Grand Prix

    F1 Sprint returns for Austrian Grand Prix

    Interested in placing free bets on this weekend’s race? Scroll down for the latest Austrian Grand Prix betting odds.

    Let’s get into what the weekend has in store.

     

    Return to Styrian Alps

    Eight races into the Formula 1 season and Austria is the next stop at the Red Bull Ring for F1 Sprint weekend.

    Max Verstappen is aiming for his fifth win in the Styrian Alps.

    The second Sprint weekend this term, Red Bull continued their dominance in Azerbaijan with a one-two finish.

    So just how is this weekend shaping up?

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    The format

    Introduced during the 2021 season to inject life into qualifying, what was originally given the paddock cold shoulder has now become a regular season staple.

    With six sprint weekends this term however, the format in 2023 has been altered.

    As the Friday consists of a single practice session, qualifying follows which sets out the starting grid for the main race on Sunday.

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    Saturday features a special qualifying session, a ‘sprint shootout’, which sets the grid for the sprint race later that day.

    Unlike in 2021 and 2022, the finishing positions in the sprint do not have any relevance in starting grid positions for Sunday.

    Saturday proper concludes with a 23-lap race/100 km race, as Sunday reverts to the normal GP format, here over 72 laps.

    Still with us?

     

    Does it work?

    The answer simply relies on improving entertainment for fans.

    It’s initial device was also to create more of a challenge for teams to fine-tune car setup and encourage experimentation.

    Indeed, as far as 2023 goes, results from Baku illustrate that there is more track action.

    With teams prone to more mistakes, sprint format has added a good deal of spice into the melting pot.

    Whether that can will aid the chasing pack in their pursuit of Red Bull and Max Verstappen however, remains to be seen.

     

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    You can access our resources to gain a better understanding of the types of wagers, the odds and the risks associated with them.

     

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  • Formula Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023: Back Ferrari in season opener

    Formula Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023: Back Ferrari in season opener

    As pre-season testing disappears into the rear-view mirrors, Formula 1 finally emerges from winter hibernation this weekend for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

    In its traditional season curtain-raiser, Sakhir signals a Middle Eastern double to start the new campaign.

    With a short trip west into Saudi Arabia to come later this month, the 2023 term is set to be the longest yet.

    Twenty-three races lie ahead but who will take the early spoils this weekend?

     

    Red Bull top testing

    For Red Bull, the new term represents the chance to underline their current F1 dominance.

    After Max Verstappen retained his crown in 2022, Red Bull also claimed their first constructors title since 2013.

    A casual glance at the F1 Power Rankings post-testing would therefore suggest Red Bull could again have it all their own way.

    At the very least, the bookies see Verstappen the strong favourite to begin the new campaign in winning form.

    For a best price this weekend, Midnite are carrying the Belgian to win in Sakhir at evens.

     

    Scuderia offer value

    For Ferrari meanwhile, the optimism of last season’s early showings in the first three rounds rather dissipated.

    As Charles Leclerc picked up wins in Bahrain and at Melbourne, Scuderia would go on to top the podium just two more times.

    That, despite claiming pole in four successive GP weekends between Miami and Baku.

    Though Red Bull are expected to hit the ground running in Bahrain, there remains something of a monkey on boss Christian Horner’s back.

    In the turbo-hybrid era, Red Bull are yet to win a season opener, either here or in Australia.

    Therefore, Leclerc still carries significant value to take the chequered flag.

    Indeed, a 9/2 shot with BetUK and UniBet must surely be considered, even pole at 9/4 with 10Bet.

     

    Debutantes for points finish?

    The new season is set to feature no less than three F2 graduates.

    Nyck de Vries, Logan Sargeant and Oscar Piastri will all take their maiden F1 bow this weekend.

    A trio highly regarded, Williams and McLaren likely to struggle however and De Vries could make an impact.

    With AlphaTauri looking to have a good set up this year, the Italian manufacturer might surprise.

    Powered by the Red Bull Honda engine, the team saw 10 points finishes last term.

    De Vries and teammate Yuki Tsunoda could both grab points to open their season accounts, with the former 5/2 odds on the Betfair Exchange.