F1 heads Down Under once again

Teams head to Melbourne. Can anyone stop Red Bull?

- Alastair Crooks

THE Australian Grand Prix is next up on the Formula One calendar, and while the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Red Bull in the past (it's only won there once), the team will arrive as the firm favourite to take victory on Sunday.

Which Red Bull driver will lead the way is a little less clear after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Of course, Max Verstappen will be odds-on to reach the chequered flag first, but team-mate Sergio Perez showed great pace to secure victory. Perez seems to excel when it comes to street circuits, so he might fancy his chances at Albert Park - especially if Verstappen continues to have reliability issues.

One thing is for sure: F1 neutrals will be glad to see the emergence of a title challenge from Perez. There's just one point separating the Red Bull drivers, although Verstappen does still appear to have a pace advantage.

Jumping all the way to the other end of the grid, it's not been a good start for rookie McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. All eyes will be on the local hero, who should be buoyed by the support of his fellow Australians in Melbourne. A points finish looks a long way off, however, with both Piastri and team-mate Lando Norris struggling to find pace.