martin brundle has backed Charles Leclerc to take first, George Russell second and Oscar Piastri third on this Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix podium. The pick was made ahead of the season-opening weekend in Melbourne, with the race scheduled to start at 4: 00 a. m. ET. Brundle told colleagues the opening rounds are likely to be chaotic, and he expects more race winners than usual.
Martin Brundle’s Melbourne podium pick
The shortlist from martin brundle places Leclerc, Russell and Piastri as his 1-2-3 for the race in Melbourne. That simple three-name prediction sits alongside a wider set of views gathered from seven members of the F1 broadcast team asked for quick crystal-ball forecasts before the first round of the 24-race campaign.
Across the group, several patterns emerge: George Russell features prominently in other panels’ top-three lists, multiple pundits see McLaren drivers challenging at the front, and a number of commentators expect the early races to produce a larger variety of winners than in previous seasons. martin brundle underlined that outlook with a brief warning: he expects the start of the year to be “a bit wild” and put the minimum number of different winners at six.
Broadcast team predictions and immediate reactions
Other named members of the broadcast team supplied their own podium picks: Simon Lazenby chose George Russell, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton; Natalie Pinkham selected Lando Norris, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton; David Croft offered George Russell, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris; Karun Chandhok put George Russell, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris; Rachel Brookes listed George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli; and Anthony Davidson picked George Russell, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
Immediate reactions from the contributors were short and pointed. Martin Brundle, F1 commentator, F1 broadcast team, said, “More than usual because I think it’s going to be a bit wild. At least six. ” That line encapsulates why several forecasters named different winners: they expect energy-management challenges and variable race conditions that will shuffle results from event to event.
Quick context: why pundits see unpredictability
The predictions were gathered as part of light-hearted pre-race forecasting ahead of the season opener in Melbourne. The exercise was framed as a test of where teams and drivers might start the 24-race calendar, with contributors noting that each track will pose distinct energy-management and setup challenges.
What’s next: watching the predictions meet reality
All eyes move to the track as the season-opening weekend arrives; the Australian Grand Prix will reveal whether martin brundle’s 1-2-3 holds or if the wider panel’s belief in multiple early winners proves prescient. Expect immediate post-race analysis from the broadcast team and a rolling reassessment of who looks strongest as the 24-race campaign unfolds, with the first check coming when the chequered flag falls at 4: 00 a. m. ET on Sunday.
