We have now had seven Formula 1 races of the 2022 World Championship and the F1 betting sites think that only four drivers can realistically compete and win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite Lewis Hamilton’s previous exploits, the Brit’s car just isn’t regarded as competitive this time around.
However, Max Verstappen was the man who snatched the title from his rivals’ grasp last term and he is no bigger than 11/10 with the F1 betting sites to claim a fifth win of the season. The Dutchman is top of the standings and currently appears to be the best driver in the best car.
After barely finishing in Bahrain, Verstappen has been racking up the points and he achieved a consecutive hat-trick of chequered flags in Italy, United States of America and Spain before finishing third in a rain-hit Monaco Grand Prix.
Can Anyone Stop Verstappen Winning Azerbaijan GP?
Verstappen has been able to prove successful to date despite the fact that he has only been on pole once. That was at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with the Red Bull driver winning that encounter and recording the fastest lap.
However, it’s noticeable that Charles Leclerc has been on pole on no less than five occasions and the Monaco driver will be looking to capitalise on having a fast competitive car in future races starting with the showdown in Baku.
Those early wins in Bahrain and Australia gave Leclerc real hope that he could challenge Verstappen at the top of the order although there’s now a nine-point gap between the pair which is threatening to widen.
Even so, Leclerc is second favourite when it comes to the F1 betting market for Baku, with Sergio Perez regarded as the next best contender by the Formula 1 bookmakers. The Mexican broke his 2022 duck after a quality drive in Monaco and could make a big statement by following it up with a win here.
Can Max Verstappen Land First F1 World Championship?
The 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the sixth race of the latest Formula One season, with the action hotting up after the Monaco Grand Prix which saw Max Verstappen not only claim the chequered flag but also sneak ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the overall standings.
Indeed, Hamilton and Verstappen have dominated the 2021 Formula 1 season and it already appears that the title is going to be two-horse race although that’s not to say that the duo are going to have a monopoly on the Grand Prix this year, with other talented drivers looking to make an impact.
Max Verstappen Favourites to Win Azerbaijan GP
Verstappen was way off the pace when finishing third in the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship standings, although it appears that the Red Bull Racing-Honda driver is getting things right on the track this season and it’s interesting to see the latest Formula 1 betting odds for the Azerbaijan GP.
The leading F1 betting sites offer a best price 6/5 about the Dutchman securing his third victory of the season and the driver hasn’t been out of the top two since the 2021 Formula 1 season began, recording either winner or runner-up on the podium.
The slight downside is that Verstappen hasn’t secured pole position since the Bahrain Grand Prix which was the curtain-raiser and perhaps it could be worth taking on Max considering that Hamilton will be looking to bounce back.
Can Lewis Hamilton Land Fourth F1 Win of 2021?
Hamilton is waiting in the wings to secure another victory and it’s always hard to get against a driver who has been a frequent champion in recent years, with the 36-year-old now having seven world titles under his belt and he’s already won in Bahrain, Portugal and Spain this season.
Perhaps Hamilton’s Formula 1 betting odds for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix could be worth taking considering that the Monaco GP is a unique race which saw the Brit finish seventh in that race on a tight track, although Lewis previously won three out of four races.
Who Are the Other F1 Drivers Who Can Win Azerbaijan?
Valtteri Bottas can never be discounted and it’s virtually certain that the Finn will win a Grand Prix this season, with the 31-year-old already having nine GP wins on the board and he has also registered 59 podium finishes, so it’s certainly worth considering the Mercedes driver from an each-way betting perspective.
Bottas has struggled so far and actually had to retire in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix before the same thing happened in Monaco, although you can get Formula 1 betting odds of 8/1 that he manages to win this race and there is an opportunity to bet the driver each-way.
Similarly, Sergio Perez is trading at single figure betting odds and the Mexican has been regularly posting top-five finishes and there have been encouraging signs from the Red Bull team recently, with the 31-year-old looking to add to that solitary win.