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WEEKEND WARM-UP: All the key paddock topics dissected ahead of the Australian Grand Prix
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The F1 circus is in Melbourne for the third race of the season, with a new home driver to cheer on in the form of Oscar Piastri.
The McLaren man has been hot property so far, with plenty of fans keen to get a photo with a driver who grew up just 15 minutes from Albert Park. But while it has been all smiles for the cameras, Piastri and team mate Lando Norris know there is work to be done to lift McLaren from the bottom spot in the constructors' standings.
At the other end of the table, Red Bull are sitting pretty with Sergio Perez keen to carry his momentum from Saudi Arabia into this weekend. But can Max Verstappen get back to winning ways and pick up a first victory in Melbourne? He admitted that he wasn't feeling 100% last time out after being ill in the build-up to that race, but is in much better condition coming into this one.
NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix
As for Ferrari, they know they have their work cut out on Sundays, with race pace an apparent weakness. Charles Leclerc was so dominant in taking the win here last year, but it doesn't look like he will be able to repeat that sort of performance this weekend, although stranger things have happened in the world of F1.
Watch Weekend Warm-Up, presented by Laura Winter, Lawrence Barretto and Will Buxton, in the video above.
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