The first grand prix of the 2024 Formula 1 season unfolded as anticipated, witnessing Red Bull continuing their momentum from the 2023 season. Max Verstappen claimed an authoritative triumph, while Sergio Perez guided the rest of the contenders across the finish line.
As the racing spectacle heads to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for the second race of the season, the formidable Red Bull team is poised to assert their dominance once again. Despite Max Verstappen not securing victory in this particular race last year, Red Bull still celebrated a one-two finish, with Sergio Perez finishing ahead of his teammate.
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| F1 Drivers Championship |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | -900 | -847 | -900 |
| Charles Leclerc | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Lando Norris | +2200 | +2200 | +2200 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +2200 | +2300 | +2200 |
| Carlos Sainz | +2800 | +2700 | +2800 |
| Sergio Perez | +4000 | +3700 | +4000 |
| George Russell | +4000 | +3900 | +4000 |
| Fernando Alonso | +6600 | +7000 | +6600 |
At odds of -400, Max Verstappen is once again the clear favorite. This trend is set to continue all season. Therefore my betting picks are focused on other markets like the top three finish market.
George Russell came remarkably close to securing a podium spot in this race last season. He finished a commendable fourth place, just a shade over five seconds behind Fernando Alonso. This marked an improvement from his fifth-place finish in 2022, indicating a strong affinity for this track.
Additionally, Russell’s fifth-place finish in Bahrain showcased promising signs for the competitiveness of the Mercedes car in the 2024 season. With the upcoming race expected to be wide open behind the dominant Red Bulls, his odds of +900 to clinch a podium spot appear to be excellent value.
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Last season, the McLaren emerged as the second strongest car on the grid. Its primary prowess was high speed corners. A characteristic that aligns well with the abundance of such turns at the Jeddah circuit.
Following a significant McLaren upgrade at Silverstone in 2023, the team displayed remarkable consistency, securing top three qualifications in seven out of thirteen races. Particularly on high speed tracks like Silverstone and Suzuka, both McLarens demonstrated their strength by consistently qualifying in the top three. This performance trend is anticipated to carry over to the race weekend in Jeddah.
Bovada also offer odds for drivers to finish in the top 6.
Since the introduction of the significant upgrade mentioned earlier, Piastri has outperformed Norris in six out of thirteen race qualifying sessions. Despite McLaren exceeding expectations in Bahrain, they openly acknowledged the need to address their vulnerability in slow speed corners. Fortunately, this deficiency is not expected to pose a hindrance at the Jeddah circuit, known for its high speed corners.
With this in mind, both McLaren drivers have aspirations of securing a top three finish in the qualifying session. The team’s recent improvements and the nature of the Jeddah track set the stage for a competitive showing in this aspect of the race weekend.
Fernando Alonso left the entire F1 community in disbelief with his third place in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It was one of his eight podium appearances last season. Demonstrating an impressive knack for extracting optimal performance from his Aston Martin, the Spanish driver is poised to contend for points and potentially a podium spot in the race.
While Alonso’s success might not come as a shock given his seasoned expertise, the still settling McLarens present an opportunity for him to capitalize should any of the prominent teams encounter challenges. The veteran driver’s ability to seize such opportunities makes him a contender for a strong showing in the race.
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About the Author
Henry began his journey in the betting industry before transitioning into a writing career. While his expertise lies in soccer, golf, and darts, he covers a wide range of sports from across the globe. Armed with a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry climbed the ladder at William Hill in England. Beyond sports writing, he has also achieved success in the Property and Finance sectors, where he continues to be active. Now based in Barcelona, Henry enjoys the city’s vibrant sports culture and plays golf year-round as a member of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.
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