AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX: If the Austrian Grand Prix is even half the race that was Baku then we’re in for a treat.
The scarcely believable events of Azerbaijan two weeks ago are still resonating throughout the sport, with Championship leader Sebastian Vettel just this week surviving an FIA investigation into his now notorious road rage incident with Lewis Hamilton. A far more prosaic grand prix is to be expected this weekend at the Red Bull Ring. This means we’re likely to see a ‘by the numbers’ race. This is good news in terms of betting.
Mercedes should prosper here. The high altitude setting of the Austrian Alps places a high premium on engine power as the thinner air counts against the cars’ top end speed. Lewis Hamilton is on fire at the moment, and consequently, is almost impossible to take a position against. That being said, Hamilton is appropriately short at 1.92 while his teammate Valtteri Bottas (pictured) is a more enticing 7.2.
Bottas managed to come back from a lap down to take second in that manic race in Baku, however Hamilton would have beaten Bottas comfortably if it weren’t for a loose headrest that necessitated an unscheduled pit stop. Ferrari for their part are somewhat on the back foot. Vettel has to bounce back from a disappointing loss of composure and will be fighting against a tide of negative public opinion for the duration of the weekend. He’s strong, he’s fast, but between him and his car, which was a distinct second best last time out, it looks like he’s a poor selection at 3.6.
Kimi Raikkonen continues to have a shocking season. Mostly down to Bottas’ tendency to run into him on the first corner! All being told though, he’s not matched Vettel’s pace, and trails the German by 80 points in the championship and 6-2 in qualifying. He’s at 23.0 on our exchange and a race win in Austria would compare to Danny Ricciardo’s (also 23.0) shock win two weeks ago.
The team that lost out most last time were Force India without a doubt. They have the best package outside the big three and on a normal weekend the pink duo of Sergio Perez and Estaban Ocon will be there to pick up the pieces if any of the front runners come a cropper.
Outright
Lewis Hamilton looks the value, even as short as 1.92. He’s driving at his near peerless best, Mercedes have gotten on top of a car they described as a ‘Diva’ just last month, Ferrari are wavering. Hamilton is your only man.
Specials
Force India are in a league of their own. Lying in fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, they trail Red Bull by 56 points, while they’re 44 points ahead of Williams. They really are the team to pick up the pieces if and when the big three teams have problems. ‘Pretty in Pink’ will offer you a return if both cars get into the top six.
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
