Bet on the Hungary Grand Prix
The 2021 Formula 1 season is starting to hot up after the controversial British Grand Prix which saw Lewis Hamilton claim a home victory despite being given a ten-second penalty for his part in running Max Verstappen off the Silverstone circuit.
Hamilton was aggressive when clashing with Verstappen’s Red Bull car in the very first lap of the race and it left a bitter taste for the latter who is searching for his first F1 Drivers’ Championship, with all attention now focused on the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Bookies Make Verstappen Betting Favourite to Win
Before the British Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was making hay and winning races for run, with the Dutchman having won the French Grand Prix, Styrian Grand Prix and Austrian Grand Prix, so it’s little wonder that the bookies have him at odds-on to triumph in Hungary.
After effectively being forced to retire at Silverstone, Verstappen will want to bounce back in style when it comes to the Hungaroring, with every bookie going odds-on about the young pretender who will feel that he has a score to settle against his chief adversary.
Max is still the in-form driver and he is eight points clear at the top of the standings, with Hamilton having resorted to dirty tricks in order to close the gap.
Can Hamilton Leapfrog Verstappen in the F1 Standings?
Lewis Hamilton has landed seven Formula 1 World Championship titles and that includes the past four competitions, with the 36-year-old obsessed with creating a legacy in this sport and he will head to Hungary with renewed optimism following the win at Silverstone.
After a flying start to the season which saw the Brit secure victories in Bahrain, Portugal and Spain which suggested it might be a procession for Hamilton this term, there were hiccups in Monaco and Azerbaijan. The bookies are prepared to chalk up 6/4 about the reigning champion landing the spoils and there will be many takers for this price.
Valtteri Bottas Looks a Good Each-Way Bet
Bottas has been on the podium six times in ten Formula 1 races this season, with the Finn available at 14/1 for the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix and that could therefore be a cracking each-way price. There’s every chance that the talented driver will find himself in the winners’ enclosure before now.
From a side bet point-of-view, Max Verstappen has been on pole position on the last four occasions and could be a good bet to therefore be at the front of the grid in Hungary, while it’s also worth noting that Sergio Perez recorded the fastest lap when it came to the British Grand Prix and perhaps he could repeat the act.
Leg 11 of the 2017 Formula 1 season sees the high octane show arrive in Mogyoród, Hungary. A feature on the F1 roster since 1986, the twists and turns of the Hungaroring have provided many a thrilling memory over the years, including first Grand Prix wins for both Damon Hill and Fernando Alonso, not to mention a Nigel Mansell masterclass in 1989. Always significant, a prominent grid position is of vital importance here as overtaking opportunities can be at a premium. Given the undoubted superiority of their machines this year, it would be a major surprise were this event not to be dominated by the might of Mercedes and Ferrari once again. Here we take a look at the contenders for success and highlight the best betting odds for what looks set to be a cracking Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton The Hero Again?
Hot on the heels of his thrilling all-the-way success in his home Grand Prix at Silverstone, it is Lewis Hamilton who is all the rage in the betting markets at just 5/6 with Bet365. With big rival Sebastian Vettel losing valuable places due to a puncture on the penultimate lap, the British Grand Prix was a huge swing in Hamilton’s favour in the race to the Drivers’ Championship, and he will be keen to keep the momentum going here. Now lying a solitary point behind Sebastian Vettel in the title race, Hamilton is yet to win back to back Grand Prix’s this term, but this may well represent his best chance yet. His win in here in 2016 was a fifth in all in Hungary, making him the most successful driver in the history of the race. Another win on Sunday would see him take the lead in the world championship and that’s a huge incentive for the Brit.
Bottas To Continue To Blossom?
Hamilton is far from Mercedes’ only threat here though, with the title aspirations of his understudy Valtteri Bottas also being very much alive. He may lie 23 points off the lead at present, but he has really begun to find his stride of late and is seeking his fifth successive top two finish here. Having out-qualified Hamilton around the similarly tight Monaco circuit earlier this season, the flying Finn will be hopeful of gaining an all-important position on the front row of the grid. Pole would obviously increase his chances but the suspicion is there may be drivers better equipped for the demands of this track. That said, Bottas is an emerging force on the F1 scene and merits plenty of respect.
Vettel To Get Back On Track
Following a stellar start to the season, which saw him record three wins and three runners up positions in the first six Grands Prix of the year, Sebastian Vettel’s form has tailed off to such an extent that his once considerable lead has now been eroded to just one point. That’s good news for the neutral as it makes for an exciting second half of the season, but Ferrari’s number one will no doubt be keen to establish a little more daylight between himself and the rest sooner rather than later. He put in a fine drive here in 2015 to overhaul both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, and was again solid last year, picking up a place from his grid position to finish fourth.
Räikkonen To Roar
Ferrari’s number two driver Kimi Räikkonen is yet to top the podium in 2017, but put in an excellent effort to finish third at Silverstone last time out, despite suffering a puncture in the closing stages. His best effort of the season to date came when runner up to Vettel in Monte Carlo. And having also won this race in 2005, he clearly handles these tight tracks well. Provided qualifying goes to plan, he is certainly not without hope of another top 3 finish here. The betting odds of 20/1 available with William Hill are a standout price in the odds comparison tables and looks to offer plenty of each way value.
Other Options To Consider
If there is one team to threaten the big two here, it seems most likely to be Red Bull. Third and fifth both here last year, and in this season’s Monaco Grand Prix, the excellent aeronautics of their car seems to see them to good effect around these tight twisting tracks. Their driver Daniel Ricciardo drove an absolute screamer last time out at Silverstone, coming through the field to finish fifth from his starting position of 19th on the grid. Both he and team mate Max Verstappen make each way appeal at 12/1 with William Hill. Those looking to support both drivers may be interested in the 13/2 with Bet365 that Red Bull come home in front here.
Recommended Bets
Lewis Hamilton put in a stellar performance last time out and looks set to arrive here at the top of his game. The balance of power also seems to now be swinging towards his team Mercedes, following Ferrari’s strong start to the season. All of which, combined with the British driver’s unsurpassed record around here makes him pretty difficult to oppose. We expect to see him start on the front row and dominate proceedings once again. Take the decent odds of 5/6 with Coral.
Vettel and Bottas also look set to go well, but are priced accordingly at around the 4/1 mark in our odds comparison, whilst the Red Bull duo of Ricciardo and Verstappen shouldn’t be too far away either. We wouldn’t put you off that last named duo at betting odds of 12/1, but for us the market isn’t affording Kimi Räikkonen enough respect here. Take him to build on his podium finish at Silverstone with another here. A small each way punt at juicy odds of 20/1 with William Hill looks a solid value bet.