F1 2019: 5 Early Predictions for the Australian Grand Prix

#2 Raikkonen on the Podium

F1 Winter Testing in Barcelona - Day One

The only World Champion on the grid not racing for Ferrari or Mercedes, fan favorite Kimi Raikkonen will return to his first ever team of Sauber 18 years after his 1-year stint with them in 2001. With the Sauber team being re-branded as Alfa Romeo Racing this year, it's not exactly the same, but in spirit; The Iceman Cometh Home.

If this move was set up two years ago, we might be lamenting it as no one really wants to see Raikkonen struggling at the back of the pack. However, with the strides that Alfa have made in the past couple of years, the team looks like it could be well in the midfield battle for possibly even best of the rest this season.

Raikkonen has been setting some pretty amazing times in testing and the Alfa Romeo car has an interesting front wing design that might be the secret to their speed.

The point is, Raikkonen could be a real contender with Alfa, and we see this coming to fruition in Melbourne. Some first lap chaos and starting troubles for the top teams could see the Iceman making his way onto the podium if he keeps it clean and just sails past any troubled Ferraris or Mercedes.

Obviously this is a real outside pick, but it would be a serious delight to see the Iceman on the podium again, this time in an Alfa and not a Ferrari.