Five stats from the opening weekend in Melbourne

1. In fifteen of the last nineteen seasons - including each of the last three - the winner of the opening race of the season has gone on to win the Drivers Championship. Jenson Button is now the favourite and the best price available on him is 3/1 with Boylesports.

2. The winning team at the first Grand Prix of the season have won the Constructors Championship in seven of the last nine years. Brawn GP are still available at 11/5 with Boylesports but Ferrari, who broke this trend last season to triumph, are still favourites. The best price available on the Scuderia is 11/8 with Ladbrokes.

There’s more than one way to handle your podium bubbly

1. THE PEARL NECKLACE
Locate a fellow driver and simply “spaff” your Moet all over his neck and chest. As demonstrated here by Heinz-Harald Frentzen on an ecstatic Eddie Irvine.

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