The biggest wins in betting on the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix

The Australian Grand Prix is one of the most iconic stages of the Formula 1 World Championship, which has been held at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne since 1996, and previously, from 1985 to 1995, was held in Adelaide. This race, which often opens the season, attracts millions of fans and sports betting enthusiasts.

1999: Eddie Irvine's victory: Ferrari's unexpected triumph

The 1999 Australian Grand Prix was the first stage of the season and was memorable for the sensational victory of Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine. Before the race, most of the attention was on his teammate, Michael Schumacher, and the McLaren drivers, Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard, who were considered the favourites. Irvine, although driving for a strong team, was rarely considered a contender for victory, and the odds on his success, according to Lucky Wands, were as high as 15.00.

The race began with McLaren dominating: Hakkinen and Coulthard took the lead, but soon both experienced technical problems. Häkkinen's gearbox failed, and Coulthard encountered an engine malfunction. Schumacher, who started from third position, was involved in an incident at the start and was forced to fight his way back from the back of the field. Under these conditions, Irvine, demonstrating consistent driving, took the lead and held his position until the finish, claiming the first victory of his career. He was followed by Heinz-Harald Frentzen in a Jordan and Ralf Schumacher in a Williams.

2005: Giancarlo Fisichella and the Renault sensation

The 2005 Australian Grand Prix was marked by the victory of Giancarlo Fisichella, representing Renault. At that time, the Renault team was considered competitive, but the bookmakers' attention was focused on Ferrari and McLaren, as well as on rising star Fernando Alonso, Fisichella's teammate. The odds on Fisichella winning were as high as 12.00, as he was rarely considered the team leader.

The race in Melbourne was dominated by Renault. Fisichella started from pole position and led confidently throughout the race, giving his rivals no chance. Alonso finished third, losing second place to Nick Heidfeld in a Williams. The Ferrari and McLaren drivers encountered problems: Michael Schumacher retired due to a collision, and Kimi Räikkönen was unable to compete due to an unsuccessful qualifying session. Fisichella's victory was Renault's first of the season and set the tone for their championship campaign.

2009: Jenson Button and the triumph of Brawn GP

The 2009 Australian Grand Prix went down in history thanks to the sensational victory of Jenson Button and the Brawn GP team. This team, created on the basis of the bankrupt Honda, was a real dark horse. Before the start of the season, no one expected Brawn GP to be able to compete with the big names, and the odds on Button winning were as high as 25.00. His teammate Rubens Barrichello was also considered an outsider, but the team unexpectedly dominated.

In qualifying, Button and Barrichello took first and second place on the grid, which came as a shock to the peloton. In the race, Button confidently led from the start, despite pressure from Red Bull and Ferrari. Barrichello finished second, securing a one-two finish for Brawn GP. The McLaren and Ferrari drivers, who were considered favourites, were unable to compete due to strategic errors and technical problems. This race marked the beginning of Button and Brawn GP's championship run in 2009.

2022: Charles Leclerc's victory amid chaos

The 2022 Australian Grand Prix marked the return of Formula 1 to Melbourne after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was considered one of the contenders, but the main favourite was Red Bull's Max Verstappen, whose odds were around 1.50. Leclerc, on the other hand, had odds of around 5.00, making him a less likely winner.

The race began with Leclerc dominating from pole position. Verstappen, despite his strong pace, retired on lap 39 due to fuel system problems. This allowed Leclerc to confidently finish the race in first place, with Sergio Perez taking second place. Leclerc's teammate Carlos Sainz retired at the start due to an accident, which made Ferrari's victory even more significant. The Albert Park circuit, rebuilt ahead of 2022, added intrigue as teams adapted to the new conditions.