You are here: Betting Guide » Formula One » Formula One Betting – Bet on the F1 British Grand Prix

Formula One Betting – Bet on the F1 British Grand Prix

FORMULA ONE BETTING – BET ON THE F1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX – 6th JULY

The British Grand Prix has a history which is the stuff of which legends are made and holds a special importance for many of the Formula One drivers.

Drivers’ / Constructors’ Championship Updates

From pole position, Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen seemed assured of a straightforward win in the French Grand Prix, at Magny-Cours, maintaining a small but crucial margin over team-mate Felipe Massa. However, he experienced severe exhaust problems in lap 33 of 70, which were to cost him the race. While this may have seemed unfortunate, he was lucky to be able to nurse a failing car home in second place. Massa was perfectly placed to take full advantage and left the French Grand Prix leading the Formula One Drivers’ Championship by two points from BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica. Ferrari, even with one car suffering technical problems, was again the dominant force, a fact reinforced by the current state of the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari has 91 points, and is a best-priced 1/7 with William Hill. Third-placed McLaren, some 33 points behind the leaders is a 10/1 chance with skybet, while BMW Sauber (74 Points) attracts a best offer of 12/1 from totesport. It is very much a case of “name your price” about any other constructor prevailing, Betfair offering prices ranging from 150/1 to 1000/1.

Ferrari’s apparent superiority, along with Felipe Massa’s rich vein of form, has also seen a shake-up in the market for the Driver’s Championship. Although team-mate remains an Evens favourite with William Hill, Massa has been promoted to second-best, at a best-priced 12/5 with Victor Chandler (vcbet). Lewis Hamilton has been eased to 9/2 with skybet, while Robert Kubica is now a 16/1 chance with totesport. Approaching the halfway point of the F1 season, these are the only realistic contenders, though Heikki Kovalainen can be backed at 200/1 with Paddy Power, Nick Heidfeld at the same price with Stan James, while Fernando Alonso is a 225/1 chance with bet 365.

Leading Contenders for the British Grand Prix

Kimi Raikkonen’s exhaust failure in France may result in an unscheduled engine change, (which fortunately is allowed without penalty), according to Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali. However, Domenicali seemed in no great rush, stating that the team would do the appropriate analysis over the next week and perform the engine change on arrival at Silverstone, if necessary. Raikkonen is a best priced 11/8 with Paddy Power to win the British Grand Prix, while team-mate Felipe Massa is 11/4 with William Hill.

McLaren’s British Grand Prix preparations were boosted as Lewis Hamilton comfortably topped the times in the final day of testing at Silverstone. Hamilton finished well over half a second clear of nearest rival, Toyota’s Timo Glock. Hamilton completed final evaluation of the new aero components for the forthcoming British Grand Prix, covering 88 laps. Hamilton was full of praise for Silverstone, describing it as “one of the best circuits on the calendar – a real driver’s circuit.” Hamilton stated that his specific goals for the season were to win the opening event, to win at Monaco and to win his “home” Grand Prix. Hamilton is a best-priced 11/4 with skybet to successfully rise to the latest challenge. Team-mate Heikki Kovalainen is a 14/1 chance with William Hill.

Despite rapidly becoming a superstar in his native Poland, BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica has done his best to keep a low profile. Nevertheless, despite his team’s poor weekend in France, Kubica is still fancied in some quarters as a possible gatecrasher to the Ferrari / McLaren’s championship party. However, Kubica realises that BMW Sauber is some way behind the pace required to mount a serious challenge to the likes of Ferrari. He was quick to point out, in a recent interview, the gap to Ferrari was the highest to date in France, and that some of the “lesser” teams are closing the gap on his own team. Kubica stated that, despite his current 2nd place in the drivers’ standings, he still considered himself an outsider for the Drivers’ Championship. Kubica is a 14/1 chance with William Hill to win the British Grand Prix.

Kubica’s team-mate Nick Heidfeld is looking forward with relish to the British Grand Prix, in which his winning chances are rated at 40/1 with William Hill. His comments were, “Over the main entrance to Silverstone there’s a sign saying ‘Home of British Motor Racing’, and that really sums up the atmosphere here. This classic track has stayed true to its roots. It really has character, which I like. There are a lot of great high-speed sections, and some memorable corners and combinations like Stowe, Copse and Beckets. Also, you can always count on the British spectators to create a special atmosphere. The British fans are really into racing; they’re very informed and enthusiastic. I hope we can put on a good show for them.”

For the first time this season, both Renaults finished in the points at the French Grand Prix. Both the McLarens were handicapped by penalties, so there was a good chance that one of the “lesser” teams might record a podium finish. Nelson Piquet, who finished seventh, was obviously pleased with scoring the first points of his Formula One career. However, Piquet’s team-mate, former World Champion Fernando Alonso was disappointed and frustrated by his lack of pace in the early stage of the race, which lead to him falling behind both Toyota’s Jarno Trulli and BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica, despite starting from third place on the grid. Furthermore, he was carrying a particularly light fuel load, which meant he was the first driver to make a pit stop. One of the “midfield” teams did indeed make the podium, but it was Trulli who finished third to the dominant Ferraris. Alonso’s chances of redemption in the British Grand Prix are rated at 40/1 by skybet. Team-mate Nelson Piquet is evidently not expected to improve greatly, rating a 400/1 chance with bet365.

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