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Melbourne matters for F1

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 26/03/2010
Formula One betting

Bernie Ecclestone insists there is no crisis but even the bullish Formula One supremo must be hoping for a more exciting Australian Grand Prix.

The new season began two weeks ago in Bahrain with a race described as one of the dullest in living memory.

For the record, Fernando Alonso won for Ferrari ahead of team-mate Felipe Massa and the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton in third.

However, the lack of racing action at Sakhir has led to savage criticism from both inside and outside of the paddock.

Michael Schumacher finished sixth on his return from retirement but the seven-time world champion questioned the decision to scrap refuelling.

He also queried the decision to make the top-ten drivers on the grid begin the race on the tyres they used in the final qualifying session.

Schumacher suggested both rule changes were to blame for the lack of overtaking in Bahrain - an assessment which racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart agreed with when he likened the new 2010 cars to "pregnant elephants".

Australia therefore needs to be an eye-catching spectacle in order to stop a drama from turning into a crisis.

Historically the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne has staged exciting races and ones that are usually won by the cream of Formula One drivers. Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton have won here in 2009 and 2008 respectively on their way to claiming world championships.

Alonso, who is favourite in the online betting markets to win in Melbourne, will be hoping he can follow in the same vein as the two Britons and build on his opening race victory.

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Elsewhere, Button has a point to prove after being hugely outperformed by team-mate Hamilton in his first race in McLaren colours.

The reigning champion finished a disappointing seventh two weeks ago having also been comprehensively out-qualified by his new stablemate.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel will also be hoping for greater reliability after coming close to winning in Bahrain only to be left down by his Red Bull car.

He had to be content with fourth place despite leading for most of the race and cut a hugely frustrated figure at the finish.

Schumacher won here in 2004 on the way to his final drivers' title before retirement, so the veteran German obviously has a liking for Albert Park.

His first race back for Mercedes was a subdued affair but expect his performances to improve as the season progresses.

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