When Max Verstappen won the season-opening Grand Prix in Bahrain, little did we know this year would be one of the most record-breaking in history, with 18 victories (so far) for the Dutch driver and just one non-Red Bull win all season.
That may suggest this season has been dull and un-dramatic, but in actual fact, there has been plenty to talk about. These are just some of the memorable moments…
EPIC ALONSO
Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin caused a stir from the start. The three-time world champion showed he meant business with not one but two stunning wheel-to-wheel moments on his way to a shock podium at the opening race in Bahrain.
In a thrilling battle with Lewis Hamilton that lasted almost a lap, the pair traded places several times before Alonso took the place at turn 10. He then went on to catch Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz for an equally hard but fair battle that also went Alonso’s way.
The Aston man went on to claim six podiums in the first eight races but the team failed to keep pace with development and he has only had two podiums in the last nine races. The odds of another to close out the season are.
AUSTRALIAN ANNIHALATION
The third race of the season in Australia was filled with drama – with two safety car periods, one virtual safety car and an all-time record three red flags. The odds of a safety car this weekend is 5/6, the odds of more than one are 5/2while a red flag is at 9/2.
Photo by: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Images
The Safety Car Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23
Back in Australia, the race was stopped after six laps when Alex Albon hit the barriers and a second red came out when Kevin Magnussen’s wheel detached in a crash. At the restart, Sainz and Alonso collided, Pierre Gasly helped team-mate Esteban Ocon into a double retirement for Alpine, and Logan Sargeant rammed Nyck de Vries in the back.
The race was stopped again, positions were re-set, and it re-started behind the safety car with the 12 remaining cars taking the checkered flag without any further racing. It was the lowest number of finishers all season, and the odds of less than 16 cars finishing this weekend are 10/1.
OCON’S MONACO MAGIC
In Monaco, Ocon secured Alpine’s first podium since 2021 with a third-place finish after overcoming an early race clattering from Sainz’s Ferrari and a rain shower that left other drivers bashing barriers and…
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