There’s little doubting that the last season of Formula 1 ended in long-running controversy and alienated some fans. Yet, now that the most prestigious class of auto racing in sports history is up and running, the excitement of the competition and the speculation about who might sustain a challenge is once again compelling viewing.
With ten teams, comprising two drivers per team, all fighting it out through 21 Grand Prix races to compete for the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, Formula 1 offers many opportunities to place a wager. Yet, betting is only a good idea if you know what you’re doing, so consider these factors before you put some money on the line.
Multiple drivers in the same race
As with all forms of sports betting these days, the markets are extremely varied with a mixture of expected outright and specials. Essentially, you’re not just limited to picking the race or overall winner. Particularly now, when we really don’t know which car or driver will dominate, Formula 1 betting odds are appealingly generous. In these initial Grand Prix events, there’s the prospect of betting on multiple drivers for a better opportunity of a cash win. Consider the other tips below before making your selections, but strategically placing bets on multiple drivers in one race could well increase your profits and minimize losses.
📊 2022 Bahrain GP is Charles Leclerc’s first hat-trick (pole, win, fastest lap) of his career.
It’s the first hat-trick for a Ferrari driver since Fernando Alonso at the 2010 Singapore GP. #f1zone pic.twitter.com/E3S0UepzJh
— F1 Zone (@FormulaOneZone) March 21, 2022
The relationship between driver, car and track
Bahrain cast serious doubt on Mercedes’s ability to perform this season. It’s too early to say if they have descended in Formula 1’s power stakes and we’re still learning details about all the manufacturer’s capabilities, but Ferrari is looking good. Having not won a Grand Prix since 2019, updates to their internal combustion engine and under the body changes just might mean they are a force again after years of major setbacks.
Yet, we’re going to learn over the next couple of months how each car performs on different tracks and we already know which tracks favour certain drivers. Keeping up-to-date on how manufacturers are tackling performance issues and checking how drivers have previously performed on individual tracks or even with different starting grid positions and weather conditions, can give you an edge when placing a bet. You must consider the relationship between driver, car and track before placing a bet and never underestimate home advantage.
Lewis Hamilton notched another all-time F1 record in Bahrain 👏#F1 pic.twitter.com/VzWhWLz1aa
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 23, 2022
Qualifying sessions and teammates
The Free Practice sessions and a qualifying session before a race can be a little unpredictable, but some drivers excel at producing one fast lap without traffic and there are opportunities to bet if you consider last season’s form. Yet, these sessions can be very revealing in terms of expected performance and you really shouldn’t place a bet until you know the final grid standings. Some tracks are just easier for drivers to emerge first on when starting in pole position and don’t forget grid penalties can severely impede a driver before the lights go out.
While we’re still in the early stages of the season, many teams are claiming there are no team orders and that each of their drivers is free to race without being subservient to their teammates. That will change as individual drivers and teams start to realise the tantalising possibility of team orders to win the Drivers’ Championship. As team orders come into effect, the last thing you want is a bet on a driver that’s going to yield to a teammate.
There’s a lot to consider when making a bet on a Formula 1 race, but these are the main elements that should ensure you make a wise wager.
