The 2021 F1 season is fast approaching with the first race of the campaign set for Sunday the 28th of March. Our F1 fanatic takes a look at the outright betting market here.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
We are set for a rather interesting season with a number of changes to the team line-ups as well as a couple venue switches.
However, some things remain constant regardless of all the changes taking place in the world with Lewis Hamilton once again installed as the heavy favourite to claim the Drivers’ Championship title and his Mercedes team dominating the Constructors’ Championship beating. Lewis and co. are likely to face competition from Red Bull who have two very talented drivers on their books this term with Sergio Perez joining Max Verstappen.
To Win Drivers’ Championship Outright
Lewis Hamilton 33/100
Max Verstappen 5/1
Valterri Bottas 9/1
Sergio Perez 20/1
George Russel 25/1
Charles LeClerc 33/1
Daniel Ricciardo 50/1
Fernando Alonso 80/1
Sebastian Vettel 80/1
Carlos Sainz 100/1
Bar and Better
To Win Constructors’ Championship Outright
Mercedes 1/6
Red Bull 7/2
Ferrari 14/1
Aston Martin 66/1
McLaren 66/1
Alpine 80/1
AlphaTauri 500/1
Williams 1000/1
Haas 1000/1
Alfa Romeo 1000/1
Drivers’ Championship
Are we in for yet another season of Hamilton dominance? It certainly seems that way according to the bookmakers with the ‘Brit priced up at a very short 33/100. His closest rival, well at least going by the ‘books, will be Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who is trading at 5/1 to claim the Drivers’ Championship.
Outside of the two favourites, the only man I can see having a possible tilt at the title is Valterri Bottas. Hamilton would have to suffer a ban or a serious injury for Bottas to have a real chance as Mercedes will undoubtedly look to support their ace as opposed to their number 2.
The Contenders
Lewis Hamilton
2020 Finish: Champion
Team: Mercedes
While the extremely short odds on Hamilton are justified – he’s one the last four titles on the trot – one has to wonder if the ‘books will be left with a bit of egg on their face should Hamilton sustained an injury that rules him out of large swathes of the season.
Should the ‘Brit avoid an extended time on the sidelines through illness, a ban or injury then the title is his to lose as he is in a car that looks like it’ll dominate again and he could well win more than the 11 races he won last season.
Valterri Botttas
2020 Finish: Second
Team: Mercedes
As I noted in the Drivers’ Championship introduction segment, the only way Bottas is winning the title is if Hamilton is out for a lengthy period of time.
While Mercedes number 2 is a fantastic supporter driver, he just isn’t in the same class as Hamilton. He also isn’t as clinical as Hamilton. While he has been able to win races in the past, he has also often fails to convert on solid grid positions and is far too reliant on his car being superior to the rest of the field.
Max Verstappen
2020 Finish: Third
Team: Red Bull
The Dutch driver showed a lot of composure this term and seems to have learnt how to manage a race; something he really struggled with when he first came on the scene. He was desperately unlucky not to finish the season as the Drivers’ Championship runner-up finishing only nine points behind Valterri Bottas.
Max had a decent podium return in 2020 landing 11 podium finishes which included two race wins.
Verdict: Lewis Hamilton 33/100
While I’d love nothing more than Redbull to knock the ‘Merc boys off their perch, I cannot see their dominance stopping. My money is on Hamilton claiming another World title.
Constructors’ Championship
Mercedes are huge favourites to win the Constructors’ Championship yet again at are trading well below even money. They may face a bit of competition form the Red Bull boys who are currently 7/2 to bring home the Championship, while Ferrari are 16/1 and Aston Martin are available at a very long price of 66/1
Mercedes
2020 Finish: Champions
They’re favourites for a reason. Mercedes were all-conquering last term and these stats show why; Lewis Hamilton won 11 of the 17 races with Valterri Bottas claiming two race wins which meant Mercedes won 13 of the 17 races held this season. The Mercedes team also landed a staggering 15 pole positions.
Those are insane numbers and any team is going to find it hard to stop Mercedes repeating the does yet again.
Red Bull
2020 Finish: Runners-Up
Red Bull finished a crazy 254 points behind Mercedes on the Constructors’ standings and this show just how big the gulf between the two sides is. While they have recruited well bringing in Sergio Perez to partner Max Verstappen, it will count for very little if they can’t bridge the power gap between the two sets of cars.
Verdict: Mercedes 1/6
Again, I hate to do this but I cannot see anyone really challenging the Silver Arrows. I reckon the gap between them and Red Bull will be a lot closer but they’ll still win the Contructors’ Championship at a canter.
