Formula One form guide

Mar 20, 2017 - 2:19 AM FORMULA ONE CONTENDERS' FORM GUIDE:

* LEWIS HAMILTON (Mercedes). Last year: 2nd. Grands prix entered: 188. Wins: 53. Podium finishes: 104. Sportsbet title odds: $1.80. The Englishman is favourite to win a fourth world championship after losing his crown to now-retired teammate Nico Rosberg last year.

* VALTTERI BOTTAS (Mercedes). Last year: Eighth. Grands prix entered: 78. Wins: 0. Podium finishes: Nine. Odds: $5.00. No surprise when the Finn was chosen by Mercedes to take Rosberg's seat. A break-out season looms.

* DANIEL RICCIARDO (Red Bull Racing). Last year: Third. Grands prix entered: 109. Wins: 4. Podium finishes: 18. Odds: $9.00. Australia's great hope of becoming the nation's first F1 world champion since Alan Jones in 1980.

* SEBASTIAN VETTEL (Ferrari). Last year: Fourth. Grands prix entered: 179. Wins: 42. Podium finishes: 86. Odds: $6.00. Shrewd four-time world champion, rule changes could help bridge the gap on Mercedes.

* MAX VERSTAPPEN (Red Bull Racing). Last year: Fifth. Grands prix entered: 40. Wins: 1. Podium finishes: 7. Odds: $8.00. Yet to turn 20, it's just a matter of time, and a reliable car, before he lives up to his billing as F1's next superstar.

* KIMI RAIKKONEN (Ferrari). Last year: Sixth. Grands prix entered: 253. Wins: 20. Podium finishes: 84. Odds: $17.00. The flying Finn, who mixes breath-taking brilliance with flashes of brain-fade, is seeking a second world title some 10 years after winning his first.

Source: AAP