Motorsport: From no-hoper to favourite

Briton Jensen Button is a surprise favourite for Sunday's Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix after his new Brawn GP team blitzed rivals in pre-season practice.

Sportingbet Australia boss Michael Sullivan said Brawn GP had been enormous softeners for the opening race of the season and the constructors' championship.

"Jensen Button is a $4.75 favourite to win at Albert Park when realistically we gave him no hope just a few weeks ago," Sullivan said.