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Formula One Betting – Bet on the F1 French Grand Prix

FORMULA ONE BETTING – BET ON THE F1 FRENCH GRAND PRIX – 22nd June

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton is convinced that the 10-place grid penalty he incurred as a result of a pit lane crash in Canada will not affect his preparation for the French Grand Prix. Hamilton stated that he will be relying on aggression and strategy in order to put himself back into contention. As a result of the penalty, Hamilton is a best-priced 10/1 with Ladbrokes to win in France. McLaren will need to rethink their approach to the race but CEO Martin Whitmarsh, has high hopes of good results from both Mclaren representatives. He is fully aware that the team will only be able to run one car on the ideal race-plan, but seeks to obtain optimum performance from both cars. Whitmarsh stated that both Hamilton and team-mate Heikki Kovalainen (best-priced 16/1 with sportingbet) are positive about their prospects for the race and that the Mclaren engineers and strategists will be endeavouring to give both as good a chance as possible. McLaren are best-priced at 5/1 with Ladbrokes to win at Magny-Cours.

The primary 2008 objective for the BMW Sauber team was to record their maiden Grand Prix victory. They achieved it stylishly in Montreal with the German / Swiss team’s Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld finishing first and second. Kubica is 7/1 with sportingbet to repeat the feat in France, with Heidfeld a 25/1 chance with Paddy Power. The team are 13/2 with sportingbet to win the race.

The online bookmakers evidently fancy a Ferrari win in France (best-priced 2/7 with Ladbrokes). This is not without justification, given their performance in Montreal. Kimi Raikkonen, running on soft tyres, set the fastest lap early in the race. A rear-end shunt from Lewis Hamilton, whilst stationary at the pit exit, ended his race. On the very same lap, Felipe Massa’s car suffered a broken fuel line, requiring a further stop and shuffling him to the rear of the field. His recovery to gain 5th place was a brilliant performance. Raikkonen is a best-priced 13/10 with Boylesports for the French Grand Prix with team-mate Massa a 2/1 chance with sportingbet. Barring disasters for the major contenders, it is difficult to foresee the winner coming from outside the Ferrari, McLaren or BMW Sauber teams. Renault are 25/1 with Ladbrokes to provide the winner, a price which seems to reflect their chances. Fernando Alonso is a 33/1 chance with 888sport, while Nelson Piquet Jr. is 500/1 with sportingbet. Despite a podium finish in Canada, Red Bull’s achievement was mostly due to the retirements of Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen. A repeat performance is not expected, sportingbet offering 100/1 about Red Bull winning the French Grand Prix. The remaining constructors, Toyota, Honda, Williams, Toro Rosso and Force India are just making up the numbers, priced at 150/1 to 400/1 with sportingbet.

Drivers’ Championship

Robert Kubica’s Montreal win elevated him to the head of the driver standings, with 42 points, 4 ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa, and 7 clear of reigning champion Kimi Raikkonen. Nick Heidfeld’s second place in Canada has moved him into 5th place with 28 points. The BMW Sauber 1-2 in Canada has had little impact on the Drivers’ Championship betting. Robert Kubica is now a best-priced 15/2 with 888sport, while Nick Heidfeld trades at 150/1 with Boylesports. Despite failing in Canada, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton still head the market at 5/4 with Paddy Power and 14/5 with sportingbet respectively. Ferrari’s Felipe Massa is next best at 7/2 with Paddy Power.

Constructors’ Championship

BMW Sauber’s successful Canadian Grand Prix has moved them into 2nd place, just 3 points behind leaders Ferrari and 17 points in front of McLaren. However, given the circumstances of the result, the bookmakers were unimpressed. Ferrari and Mclaren remain favourites, respectively 3/10 with Paddy Power and 11/2 with totesport.BMW Sauber are available at 8/1 with Boylesports. Any other constructor can be backed at at least 200/1 with sportingbet.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds