Written by @OMGitsTarrynLee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Chinese Grand Prix | Sunday 20 April | Shanghai International Circuit | 08:30
2014 is beginning to feel rather similar to 2009, when Brawn GP came out and dominated from the start of the season. This year, instead of Jenson Button as the favourite for the Driver’s Championship it’s his old McLaren teammate Hamilton sitting pretty behind the wheel of the most dominant car. China is only the fourth race of the season, so there is still plenty of time for the other teams to catch up before the Silver Arrows gain too much of a lead.
Previous Race
While the other teams struggle to find their footing in 2014, the two Mercedes drivers are fighting between themselves for the top step of the podium. After a thrilling battle in Bahrain, it’s becoming clear that their stiffest competition is each other. The Grand Prix was action-packed and the drivers jostled for position throughout, Rosberg and Hamilton up front with the rest of the drivers aiming for third place. Hamilton sneaked ahead of Rosberg at the start of the race, despite the German’s stronger lap in Q3 that earned him Pole Position. Rosberg and Hamilton continued their dog fight throughout the race, with pit stops and a safety car adding to the drama. Rosberg didn’t manage to get past Hamilton again and finished just behind his teammate for a Mercedes one-two. Behind the front-runners, Massa and Perez fought over the remaining spot on the podium. Massa had a great start but the Williams was too harsh on its tyres. Perez took third place while Massa settled for seventh. Ricciardo proved to be faster than his more successful teammate and passed Vettel to finish fourth. Hulkenberg brought his Force India over the line in fifth ahead of the reigning World Champion. The two Williams drivers finished seventh and eighth while the Ferraris clawed their way into the top ten to claim the final points in Bahrain.
The Track
At 5,451km long, the Shanghai International Circuit will host its eleventh running of the Chinese Grand Prix. Six current drivers are familiar with the top spot of the podium in China and the rest of the field will join them in a 56-lap fight for the checkered flag this weekend. Hermann Tilke designed the track, which boasts a tricky corner combination at Turns 1 and 2. Pirelli provide their soft and medium compounds for the race and two DRS zones add more overtaking opportunities, which are already well provided for by the long back straight. The race in China will be cooler than Bahrain and there is a threat of rain for Saturday’s qualifying, although the race on Sunday appears to be unaffected.
To Win Outright
Lewis Hamilton 7/10
Nico Rosberg 2/1
Sebastian Vettel 16/1
Daniel Ricciardo 25/1
Fernando Alonso 33/1
Felipe Massa 33/1
Valtteri Bottas 40/1
Nico Hulkenberg 40/1
Kimi Raikkonen 40/1
Jenson Button 50/1
Sergio Perez 50/1
VALUE BETS
Daniel Ricciardo (25/1 a win, 7/2 a podium)
The young Australian has been scoring some decent points for the lagging Red Bull team, even with the removal of his tally in the Australian Grand Prix in which he was disqualified. A fourth place in Bahrain proves that Ricciardo definitely has the potential to claim some more solid points finishes. Put some money on the Aussie for a podium finish in Shanghai, at 7/2 there’s some decent money to be won if he succeeds.
Sergio Perez (50/1 a win, 7/1 a podium)
Another youngster that is challenging the more experienced drivers is Sergio Perez, who beat out worthy contenders to take the final spot on the podium in Bahrain. He is definitely a man to watch and with the Force India team looking impressive, placing a bet on Perez could payout this weekend. Another podium may be a bit of a stretch but at 7/1 it’s worth the risk. For the more cautious punters, a bet on a Top 6 finish at 8/10 may be preferable.
Fernando Alonso (33/1 a win, 7/2 a podium)
Alonso was the victor in Shanghai last year but with the Ferrari clearly battling (the resignation of team principal Stefano Domenicali is still fresh) there seems to be little hope for the red stallions. Domenicali took the blame for the team’s poor performance but whether his replacement Mattiacci can inspire change within the iconic racing team remains to be seen. Despite Alonso’s lacklustre ninth place finish in Bahrain, he’s my non-Mercedes favourite for the weekend. The Spaniard is a double winner in China (along with Lewis Hamilton) and has the experience to challenge the Silver Arrows. If the car performs well, he’s in with a decent chance of the checkered flag. High risk, but a very high payout at 33/1.
POLE POSITION: Lewis Hamilton 6/10
Hamilton is the clear favourite for a win in China, with the Mercedes driver looking for a hat trick of wins this season along with his third win at the Chinese Grand Prix. He’ll face stiff competition from his teammate mostly, but after losing out on Pole in Bahrain because of a slip up on his last lap, the Brit will be out for vengeance. I’m backing him to take Pole Position on Saturday. A bet on Hamilton for the win as well is not unwise, but with a pretty slim payout a riskier bet might be a better choice.
TO WIN: Nico Rosberg 2/1
Although he has only one win so far, Rosberg sits slightly ahead of his teammate in the Driver’s Championship standings. The son of World Champion Keke Rosberg has come into his own, proving that he is a Formula One driver to be taken seriously and not just a pretty face. He continuously challenged Hamilton in Bahrain, dogging his every move until the end of the race. He lost out on first place there, but I’ve got my money on Rosberg to come out guns blazing this weekend and take the win. Unless, by some miracle, one of the other teams manage to bring the fight to the Mercedes at the front.
