Australian Grand Prix betting preview, tips & TV channel

Sky Sports F1, 5.10am Sunday

Lewis Hamilton is just 1-2 to win the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after Mercedes dominated qualifying. He was also cut from 11-8 to evens to win a sixth world title.

Hamilton's last-gasp effort denied his teammate Valtteri Bottas pole position while their nearest challenger, Sebastian Vettel, was more than half a second behind Bottas.

Ferrari had looked the pacesetters in winter testing and while Vettel has won in Melbourne for the last two years after starting second on the grid, the German looks up against it this time.

Top tip
Max Verstappen podium finish 6-5

Max Verstappen was delighted to qualify fourth for Red Bull's first race with Honda power. The Dutchman split the Ferraris in qualifying after new boy Charles Leclerc made a mistake on his final lap.

Red Bull's cars traditionally perform better in race conditions than over a single lap, and if that's also the case with this year's design it could be a close race between him and the Ferrari pair.

Verstappen used the final practice session to work on his race set-up, rather than to prepare for qualifying as is usually the case.

That could pay off for the aggressive youngster who is worth backing at odds-against to make the podium.

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Other markets
Renault double points finish 6-4

Renault began the weekend expecting to be at the front of the midfield pack but a disappointing qualifying saw both cars drop out in Q2.

New recruit Daniel Ricciardo missed out on a place in the top-ten shootout by 0.04 seconds after making a mistake. He starts 12th with teammate Nico Hulkenberg 11th, which gives them a theoretical tactical advantage over the drivers starting ahead of them.

The car's long-run pace in practice was encouraging and the drivers, who are perhaps the most solid pairing on the grid, will be confident of moving forward in the race.

Recommendations
M Verstappen podium finish
2pts 6-5 Coral, Hills, Ladbrokes
Renault double points finish
2pts 6-4 Betway

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