Renault are favourites and I expect they'll finish 1-2 again, but this time with Alonso taking the chequered flag. They have been quickest all season and the chicanes around Albert Park should suit their traction control, as will the fact that it's a bit cooler in Melbourne than usual.

The main challengers to Renault will again be McLaren, Ferrari and Honda. Ferrari especially have been making noises and generally being confident. Word around the campfire has it that Bridgestone have brought their best ever tyre compound for cooler temperatures to Melbourne. What that exactly means is anybody's guess. I'm guessing they are still not as good as the Michelin's of the other top teams.

McLaren had a good test since the last GP so their relative silence heading into this weekend I'm reading as quiet confidence. Heading into the 3rd race this season we still haven't seen Raikkonen show us his full potential. They'll challenge for a podium I would think, but their short price is too short in my opinion so I'm keeping away.

Honda are quick, but not as quick as Renault and this will remain the same, at least for this race. I think, unlike McLaren and Ferrari, Honda have shown us what they can do with their package. The question remaining for me is, is it good enough to beat McLaren and Ferrari?

I doubt very much that Williams have enough to finish on the podium, but 2 finishes in the points is definitely possible. I'm sure Webber will be determined to 1) beat his team mate and 2) finish his home GP in the points 3) not crash (in that order).

Of the others I'll mention BMW Sauber. They haven't qualified well at all, but their race pace has been stronger than those around them. I fancy one of them, probably Heidfeld, to get a top 8 points finish. They must beat Toyota though, who are also talking confidently mainly due to their new Bridgestone tyres. Toyota will at some point in the season become competitive - I'm sure of it. I don't know when that might be, but I don't think it will be here and now.

Here are the bets made so far, and another one:

OB 88.2 Units

Sportsbet
Winner
Alonso 4 Units @ $3.15*

Sportingbet
Fisichella v M Schumacher
Fisi 5 Units @ $2.10

Centrebet
Top8
Heidfeld 2 Units @ $3.00

CB 77.2 Units


* Alsono to win $3.20 now on offer from Sportingbet


Again I'm off to a wedding this weekend and may not be able to post updates after practice or qualifying, but so be it. But I'm thinking of more on Heidfeld or Villeneuve after qualifying depending on where on the grid they are and their price, of course.

I'm hoping McLaren fail miserably because that would mean good things as far as future bets go.

Go Alonso !!!

... and somebody pot M Schumacer and McLaren for me