Petrolheads are revved up as we’re mere days away from one of the crown jewels on the global motorsport calendar — the Formula One Rolex Australian Grand Prix
Racing history at the demanding Albert Park Circuit attests — it will be a heated race from 22 to 24 March.
Last year, around 450,000 F1 enthusiasts cheered beside the track and another 3 million behind their screens! So, the bar is set pretty high for this year’s Australian GP race.
Fans scrambled for tickets for months, and bettors hit Neosurf casino Australia platforms with their predictions. One thing’s sure, though: Verstappen will fiercely defend the title. But will the rest of the best in 2023 repeat their success on the Melbourne track? AuCasinosList sports betting experts and Formula 1 analysts have taken it upon themselves to research the participants and estimate their chances.
Read this chewable-size info-packed insight before placing a wager. We’ll ensure you’re up to speed with all the information you need on the 2024 Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix! Let’s roll!
Drivers to Watch
This year, Australian race fans will have much to look forward to during the GP weekend, such as cheering for their compatriot duo Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri.
Daniel Ricciardo (16P in the overall standings) will do his best to prove his worth to McLaren, with whom he parted ways prematurely in 2022, and Red Bull for a potential collab.
The 34-year-old is hungry for success in what he calls “a second start of his F1 career,” driving for the Visa Cash App RB F1 Team (former AlphaTauri). His passion, high goals, and motivation for this season should not be underestimated. Both experts and fans agree that this F1 driver can potentially turn things around in Albert Park.
Over at McLaren, Oscar Piastri (22) aims at a personal best. Prepping for the 2024 season with intensive physical workouts, he’s in great shape to take his career path to a new level. So far, he’s on the right path, standing in the 5P with 16 points.
Piastri had promising rookie results and will likely not miss this opportunity to shine under his hometown’s sky. At this terrain last year, he finished 8th, scoring his first-ever racing points.
Technical and Competitive Landscape
Formula 1’s vehicle specifications underwent almost no modifications this season. The engines, tires and tech regs stay the same. However, teams can splash more cash on their facilities over four years ($65 million), and there are looser DRS rules.
This year, drivers can activate the Drag Reduction System (DRS) from the first lap and after safety car deployments. This means more overtaking chances and, with it– more excitement!
The absence of new names on the diver’s lineup can significantly influence the race dynamics in Australia. This situation got experts to give five bold predictions for the 2024 F1 season that we’re yet to see unfolding. Even though some teams and drivers have done their homework and gotten into better shape for 2024, others know each other’s performance issues and strengths.
Looking at the pre-season and prep period, Ferrari’s looking sharp, with Carlos Sainz dominating the February testing. He was backed up by his teammate Charles Leclerc, who was just a little behind. However, we’ve seen this Ferrari movie—a hot start, then a cool-down.
George Russel‘s third-place finish in the pre-season proves his potential to surprise and outperform when needed. This season, the 26-year-old Brit will drive towards a second Grand Prix in his career. Mercedes is crossing its fingers, hoping that’ll be the season they break into the podium club, even though Lewis Hamilton said he’s not feeling the winning vibes.
McLaren is expected to place right after Mercedes in the final standings but ahead of Aston Martin. Since the regs and the racers stayed the same, it is easy to imagine this season will be a déjà vu of 2023. What does this mean? Aboard the RB20 rocketship, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have great chances of reigning on the track of the Australian GP and the whole season ahead.
Predictions and Betting Insights
Let’s not beat around the bush — Max Verstappen was and is the most significant contender for the Australian Grand Prix. Ranked first, he’s the one dominant constant in this year’s F1 season that everyone expected. With his teammate Sergio Perez next to him in second place, both give the Red Bull Racing team an excellent headstart. However, there are several other drivers worth the attention.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz — the fastest on the pre-season tests in February and finished 3rd in Bahrein’s international circuit. He’s got a good thing going on so far, and if he manages to keep it up and play on his strengths, he might end up on the Melbourne podium. After all, it’s on this ground that he won his first Grand Prix in 2015.
- Max Verstappen -550
- Sergio Perez +1000
- Charles Leclerc +1400
If you’re in the mood for big winnings, here are some outsider betting odds:
- Lewis Hamilton +2800
- Lando Norris +2800
- George Russell +2800
- Carlos Sainz +6600
- Oscar Piastri +15000
Spectator Experience and Hospitality
Racing fans from around the globe fought hard to attend the Australian GP. Over 100,000 fans pre-registered for early access tickets to the 14 grandstands and the Park Passes, and Saturday and Sunday tickets sold out in under two hours.
Many of these included a package that deals with accommodation and other amenities. For all those looking for a better view at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix and a more luxurious experience, there’s the 330 Club! Some of the privileges of joining it include:
- Exclusive views of the main straight
- Superscreen for race-viewing
- An undercover open-roof balcony
- DJs performing throughout the day
- Exquisite menu and catering service
The 330 Club is one of 19 premium hospitality suites (Hospitality Experiences) that fans can book to add a luxurious dimension to their F1 adventure.
All in all, everything is set so that visitors can have a blast. Many packages include fuller arrangements than just a weekend. There are also plenty of options for travelling and gambling in Australia for those who like living fast-paced, thrilling vacations.
Visitors can enjoy unique experiences like helicopter rides to observe the 5.278 km Grand-Prix circuit from above. This allows them to grasp the extent of drivers’ challenges when racing on it.
Off-Track Entertainment
Off-track fun at the F1 Australian GP means a trip to the Fan Zone on the Melbourne Walk. Here, you’ll find merchandise stores, vehicle exhibits, and, most importantly, food and drinks.
In the center of it is a special surprise — a popup Espy bar recreated in the spirit of one of the most famous Esplanade Hotels in St Kilda, bringing a beach buzz to the adrenaline-hyped F1 crowd.
The extensive musical programme at Crown Main Lane (the event’s main stage) includes resounding names like Amy Shark (Friday), Jet (Saturday), and Empire of the Sun (Sunday). These will be accompanied by other great musical acts: Northeast Party House, Jake Webb, Vanessa Amorosi, Yo! Mafia, The Presets, and Emma Petters.
Another thing to look forward to is Legends Lane, a display of old vehicles, pictures, and other exhibits celebrating racing History. There’s even a Tech Talks hub for high-tech pros and enthusiasts.
The Formula One Grand Prix is also a family-friendly event. On the golf course near Turn 9 of the circuit– the youngest can enjoy a Pit Stop Park Powered by DC Super Heroes. This entertaining extension of the DC Universe comes from the partnership with Warner Bros. Kids of all ages can celebrate the 85th anniversary of DC’s Batman™ accompanied by Superman, Wonder Woman, and others. Admittedly, this is super rich off-track fun.
Conclusion: What to Expect
Australia’s F1® Rolex Grand Prix is a crucial stage in the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship™ as it sets the tone for the rest of the F1 season. The result will help fans and racing pros get a fuller grip on the skills and aptitude of the F1 drivers and teams. So, this Grand Prix is an event that motorsport enthusiasts and F1 bettors can’t afford to miss.
The exciting Albert Park Circuit and the experienced drivers attempting to conquer it promise an explosion of tightly packed action and a resonant cheering atmosphere. Plus, Melbourne’s culinary offerings and diverse entertainment will keep fans on the spot for hours and days. There are countless ways to enjoy this thrilling race, even with a helicopter ride! and cheer for your favs to make it to the podium. Prepare for a racing experience that will leave a lasting smile on your face!