The sights and sounds of F1 made a welcome return in Australia, but Friday’s action in Melbourne provided as many questions as it did answers about the potential performances of teams on track.
A fascinating weekend of racing is expected with the margins between the so-called ‘Big Four’ teams appearing to be tight and no signs yet of any team dominating, which sets the scene for a competitive season.
Antonelli is the one to watch
Friday’s closely contested practice sessions in Melbourne will have given hope for the season to all the expected frontrunners this season.
Mercedes looked strong in Practice 2, with Kimi Antonelli second overall and team mate George Russell third fastest and, while Oscar Piastri of McLaren pipped them for the fastest time, the Australian set his lap a little later in the session when track conditions had improved.
Piastri’s time was a welcome boost for McLaren and the British team could have more pace than the markets suggest, but the best value for a Qualifying bet may lie with Antonelli.
The Italian has never started a Grand Prix on pole, but became F1’s youngest polesitter in the 2025 Miami Sprint race and was second in both Qualifying sessions in Brazil towards the end of the season.
After setting a lap time just 0.005 seconds behind Russell in Practice 1 before finishing ahead of his more experienced team mate in Practice 2, the betting markets are now pricing Antonelli at around 7/1 (8.0, +700) to be the fastest qualifier in Melbourne.
Lindblad making his mark early
Arvid Lindblad’s Friday got off to a sticky start with a pit lane collision with Russell, but ended his first day of F1 weekend action having further enhanced his reputation.
The only rookie on the 2026 grid finished ahead of his Racing Bulls team mate Liam Lawson in both Melbourne sessions, going more than four-tenths of a second faster than the New Zealander during Practice 2.
Lindblad placed eighth overall in the afternoon session and the teenager looks well worth backing to qualify ahead of Lawson.
He is favourite at around 8/11 (1.73, -138) in the Qualifying match bet between the Racing Bulls drivers and that looks justified.
Experience can count for Hulkenberg
The battle between the Audi team mates looks set to provide plenty of match bet interest this season and Nico Hulkenberg could be ready to strike first during Qualifying in Australia.
Hulkenberg and his Brazilian team mate Gabriel Bortoleto finished the 2025 season beating each other 12 times in Qualifying and that record has been reflected in the odds, with both drivers on offer at 5/6 (1.83, -120) to come out on top in the head-to-head battle.
The German looked to have a slight edge at Albert Park on Friday, finishing 0.317 seconds ahead of Bortoleto in Practice 2 and he has an excellent record at this circuit.
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