Preview : Australian GP 2010 | Who is heading where?

We are used to seeing Australia at the starting of the season. But Bahrain started the proceedings two weeks before where Ferrari made the cut with a 1-2. Although it did seem that the Red Bull were a second or two faster than the other cars on the grid. It was unfortunate for Sebastien Vettel who began the race at pole position and finished only at fourth due to a exhaust failure. Michael Schumacher who made his F1 return after 3 years, finished 6th behind his team mate Nico Rosberg.

Australian GP - Track

Australia without a doubt has one of the most dangerous first turns. With 24 cars rushing at the start, there are going to be incidents involved. In 2002, Ralf Schumacher rided over Rubens Barrichello's Ferrari and literally flew over 50 meters. Even last year, Barrichello ran into Mark Webber.

Melbourne often produces stop-start races with several safety car interruptions. Last year there were two, courtesy of Kazuki Nakajima and the Sebastian Vettel-Robert Kubica crash in the dying stages of the race.

Without the refueling, F1 will see very less overtaking maneuvers. So the qualifying will play a important part.

Drivers to watch out for :
Mark Webber : The Australian has never had a great home race so far. His best finish was in 2002 where he came home 5th in a humble Minardi. Now, he has the fastest car on the track. If there is a chance then this is it. Mark Webber would be my dark horse for the race. Webber failed to make use of his pace at qualifying in Bahrain but he wouldn't want to miss out to win the race in front of his home crowd.

Michael Schumacher : The whole world knows about Schumacher's love affair with Albert Park. He has won at this very circuit 4 times. It would not be easy for him to race with the younger and faster lot, but who can if he can't? I will place my bet on Schumi without thinking once. If Schumacher can get a decent enough place at the qualifying, he sure can enter the podium.

Team to watch out for :
Force India : After two season of frustration, Force India are beginning to strike the cord. They are not going to challenge with the big 4 - Ferrari, Mclaren, Mercedes or Red Bull. But they have some healthy competition at the middle of the table which they would want to win. Force India along with Renault, Williams and Toro Rosso are all running for the 5th spot finish and Force India seem to have the better chance. Adrian Sutil and Tonio Luizzi are performing decently and both of them finished at Bahrain. If it was not for the first corner fiasco, Sutil too would have bagged some points.

Final Prediction:
It all depends on the qualifications. Expect atleast one Ferrari and one Red Bull on the podium.