5 possible dark horses at the Australian Grand Prix

In Formula 1, with each season incorporating at least some form of major or minor rule changes, one thing has been constant, that is revelation of a few dark horses at the opening round of the season. With both teams and drivers trying to get to grips with the new machinery, the opening rounds usually play witness to eventful races with several unexpected results coming out of it. Be it teams or drivers, the opening round has always thrown surprises, which makes this round one of the most pivotal events in the calendar.Here, we will be looking at those 5 possible dark horses who could provide a major shock to the viewers at this year’s Australian Grand Prix. But, before that, in order to get acquainted with similar events in the years gone by, let’s have a stroll down memory lane in F1 history.Looking back in recent past, we can easily take the example of McLaren drivers Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button, getting that elusive podium after what was an average pre-season testing, another such account that can be referred to is that of Vitaly Petrov, who in 2011 managed to get Renault on the podium, which at that time was essentially a mid-field team.A decade earlier in 2002, Mark Webber came out of nowhere in an inferior Minardi to finish in an astonishing 5th place in what was a chaotic race. Moving further back in F1 folklore, one of the most vivid of such memories is the jaw dropping battle for the lead between Ayrton Senna and the then unknown Jean Alesi in 1990 at Phoenix, U.S.A. Alesi in an inferior Tyrell produced some spectacular maneuvers, outclassing the champ himself. Although at the end, he finally had to yield to Senna and lose by a few seconds, but fans still fondly remember that moment as one of the greatest surprises ever.Ayrton Senna (BRA) leads Jean Alesi (FRA) at the 1990 United States Grand Prix

#1 Kimi Raikkonen getting that elusive victory after a gap of three years

The last time Raikkonen stood at the top of the podium was at Albert Park itself, when through a clever two stop strategy, he outsmarted his rivals to register a memorable victory.

Since then there has been a long drought, a misfortune further intensified in the last couple of years since his return to Ferrari. But this season, with Ferrari enjoying a marvelous testing session, the prancing horse is expected to mount a better challenge than it managed last year.

If Raikkonen is able to trump his in form teammate and more crucially the all conquering Mercedes, then surely it will come out as a major surprise and also relief for his millions of fans around the world.

What would be most unexpected is for Raikkonen to finally get on that elusive top step, outsmarting his rivals and teammate, who especially in the last season have had the better of him.

#2 Williams snatching victory from the works teams or at least achieving a podium

The Grove based squad is one of the oldest and most highly revered teams in Formula 1. The squad had major success until the early 2000s, but since then they had been on a consistent downward slope. But hopes have risen again after their resurgence during the past couple of years, although they still haven’t got back to the winning ways.

During pre-season testing this year, they have basically been under the radar, wherein they seem to have deliberately opted to conceal their true pace much like Mercedes. Their technical chief, Rob Smedley remains optimistic about their chances this season, predicting a better 2016 with more frequent podiums than in the recent seasons.

Time and again, Williams have shown pace, like the qualifying at 2014 Austrian Grand Prix or the awesome start for both the cars to move into the lead at Silverstone last year. One thing remains clear, that the team, surely have the pace to produce a shock result.

With the opening race likely to be highly unpredictable, with teams getting to understand the new machinery, expect them to be fighting for the podium or even a victory. With the car enjoying a high reliability rate, they surely are best placed to take advantage of rivals’ mistakes.

#3 Force India getting on the podium, preferably with Nico Hulkenberg behind the wheel

In Formula 1, perhaps it is Force India who can be most aptly equated under the term dark horse. Be it Renault in 2011, McLaren in 2013 and 2014 or Red Bull during last year, the team has made a habit to challenge well established rivals. The achievements it has managed through the more modest budget on which it operates than other teams, is remarkable.

This year too the team seems to be on the same track and probably better than they have ever been. If evidence from pre-season testing is anything to go by, then they surely seem to have a reliable and quick car, which seems to have already overtaken Red Bull in the pecking order.

The Indian squad is known to have relied on clever strategy on several occasions to produce good results, similar scenario can be expected at this race also and with a bit of a luck in the form of misfortune being suffered by other teams, they might stand a chance to get on the podium.

Nico Hulkenberg has proved to be quick during pre-season and it would be a milestone long due for the German if he does get on the podium finally after so many near misses. His teammate Perez too has been quick, but still it would come out as a bigger surprise if Hulkenberg manages to get on the rostrum rather than his teammate, who has already got 5 podiums to his name.

#4 At least one of the Toro Rosso duos managing a top 5 finish

Over the years, Toro Rosso has consistently established themselves among the midfield runners. Last season proved to be one of their best yet, with the team scoring its highest points yet in a particular season.

This year, they will be powered by 2015 spec Ferrari engine, which proved to be way ahead in terms of performance than the Renault spec which they used last year. Their pre-season testing form too has been highly promising with their overall mileage only behind that of Mercedes. Besides this, the car too seems reliable with minimal troubles encountered during testing.

Taking cue from these advantages, it seems that the Italian squad should be a serious threat to its well established challenger, especially during the first few races of the season. With the aggressive driving of Max Verstappen and marvelous qualifying form of his teammate Carlos Sainz Jr, expect them to be fighting for a strong points finish and if fortune favors them, then even a podium remains a possibility.

#5 Can Red Bull spring a surprise?

In the early 2010s, Red Bull utterly dominated F1, taking world titles for four consecutive seasons from 2010 to 2013. But majorly due to their engine supplier Renault not being able to come up with a competitive package under new regulations, the team has failed to perform during the last couple of seasons.

This year, apparently their last under Renault power, doesn’t look too promising either. Until now, they have had a decent pre-season testing, with a seemingly firm foothold among the midfield runners. It seems to be highly unlikely that they will mount a challenge to the top three teams this year.

But still, they haven’t yet revealed their true pace and if Renault produces a competitive engine package, then surely through a great chassis which has always been their strength they can surely fight for podiums.

Daniel Ricciardo can surely spring up a surprise podium finish, but with a practical outlook perhaps this appears to be least likely as compared to other possible scenarios in this slideshow.

#6 Other possible surprise performers

As possible dark horses, some might even include new entrants Haas up there, but after a disappointing pre-season testing, it surely seems that they have a long developmental road ahead of them. Their package obviously has potential, but it seems it will take a few more races for them to utilize it fully and realize its potential.

McLaren too don’t seem to be much of a threat come the opening round. They have had a decent pre-season testing, but their times suggest they are still off the pace and a points finish seems to be the most they can fight for as of now.

Having a general overview, it seems clear that several teams have progressed further from where they were last year. Overall, whoever does manage to surprise, one thing appears to be certain from the evidence available during pre-season testing that there will be a more closely fought battle among the grid this time around than in the past couple of seasons.