Happy New Season everybody! Hopefully it will be a season to remember too, writes Kyle Cumbers.

It’s hard to make predictions for the first race as all the data we have is from testing, and even the teams are not sure where they are in the pecking order.

Not only that. Races at Melbourne are often unpredictable, so please be careful with your bets! Here are the ones I feel could do well this weekend…


1: Ferrari had two impressive tests in Barcelona and although we shouldn’t get too excited, I have a feeling Ferrari are quietly confident. Sebastian Vettel could and maybe should have won this race in 2016, but once again bad strategy calls from Ferrari took away that chance. My other choice would be Lewis Hamilton – but his odds are too short. I also backed Vettel in the preview podcast, so I need to back that up with my money!

Sebastian Vettel to win the race: 7/2 (BetVictor, Betway, Stan James, Unibet & William Hill)


2: Red Bull didn’t have a fantastic couple of tests, but there is always the feeling Adrian Newey has something up his sleeve – and with the home support, I’m going for the only Australian on the grid to achieve a podium.

Daniel Ricciardo to finish on the podium: 2/1 (Coral, Ladbrokes, Skybet & William Hill)


3: On the Australian GP preview podcast I predicted a Haas to finish in the points, as I feel they will start the season strongly again. Romain Grosjean achieved a remarkable sixth around Melbourne last year, but with Kevin Magnussen’s only F1 podium achieved here in 2014, I’m going for him to finish in the top 10.

Kevin Magnussen to finish in the points: 5/2 (William Hill)


As always, good luck to us all and please remember to bet responsibly.

Kyle Cumbers is a member of the NRF1 Podcast crew. Follow Kyle on Twitter @kcumbers