Couch Critic provides his betting tips for the Brazilian Grand Prix which takes place in Sao Paulo on Sunday 17rd November
BATTLE OF BRAZIL
Both championships might be in the bag with two races to go but you can be sure there is still plenty to race for at Interlagos this weekend. Though the track won’t be seeing one of those dramatic title deciding tussles of years gone by there should still be plenty of intrigue and hopefully a lot of excitement.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LAST RACE?
Before the race I found it tough anticipating who of the big dogs would bark the loudest in Austin. In the end the top four in qualifying were separated by barely more than one tenth of a second – proving the level of competitiveness between the three big manufacturers as the year nears its end.
On race day the Mercs yet again proved to have the edge over the longer runs and Red Bull and Ferrari had to settle for finishing in the dust of the two Silver Arrows with Bottas in particular driving a faultless race from pole position to take the chequered flag. The final result saw Lewis Hamilton wrap u his sixth Drivers’ World Championship Title.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN SAO PAULO
There might be little bragging rights in finishing third overall in the championship, but it is needed the spot of “best of the rest” behind the Mercedes pair that is still very much open to be disputed between Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.
There is a good deal of balance in terms of recent results at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace circuit (otherwise known as Interlagos) in recent times. The three-pointed stars of course have enjoyed good success here but over the past six years victories have been shared in equal measure between Hamilton, Rosberg and Vettel. Last year Verstappen also came close to taking the top step so past results give us little indication of who will hold the edge in Sao Paulo.
Leclerc needed to take on a new power unit for Brazil and as such should struggle to be in the mix for the win this time around. Vettel will be looking to bounce back after having car troubles in the US whilst mighty Max will just be hoping for a touch more performance come Sunday to really be in the mix this weekend. But, as always, it will be tough putting a stop to the dominance of the Mercs how have now claimed four straight victories since Singapore after it initially looked like Ferrari were going to be the team to beat after the mid-season break.
VERDICT
It’s a difficult task predicting whether Mad Max or Magnificent Max will turn up for an entire race weekend. Yet the Dutchie has good recent form of late and some serious unfinished business here at Interlagos. Last year he tripped over Ocon when the victory was in sight and in 2016 he thrilled all on-lookers with a sublime race in the wet as a 19 year old. I am backing Verstappen to climb all the way to the top step on Sunday.
BETOLIMP Bets for the Brazilian Grand Prix:
Fastest Qualifier – M Verstappen @ 3.75
To win the race – M Verstappen @ 3.75
Special: Verstappen to qualify fastest and win the race @ 6.70
Note, odds are subject to change
