The Qatar Grand Prix takes place at the Lusail International Circuit on Sunday and we take a look at the race from a betting angle.
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CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Max Verstappen reached 400 points in the Championship when he achieved a clean sweep of winning the Japanese Grand Prix, getting the fastest lap as well as qualifying on pole position last time out. His winning margin of almost 20 seconds over Lando Norris reflected his dominance as he got back on the winning trail after slipping up in Singapore to leave his winning streak at 10. Oscar Piastri was a further 17 seconds behind Norris in 3rd.
Verstappen leads his teammate Sergio Perez by 177 points with only 180 points remaining in the season and we can expect him to wrap things up this weekend in Qatar (quite possibly in the sprint).
Bookies have priced up on a “Winner without Verstappen” market, but even that is one-sided with Perez trading as 1/10 and Hamilton at 6/1, you can get 100/1 and better the balance.
Click here for betting “Without Max Verstappen”
QATAR GRAND PRIX
This will be the second renewal of the Qatar Grand Prix with the first having taken place in 2021 where Lewis Hamilton got the victory. There was no race in 2022 due to a clash with the FIFA Football World Cup and after talks of moving the race to a purpose built track it has been retained in Lusail. The Lusail track has high speed characteristics and I am expecting to see similar riders at the business end of proceedings as what we saw in Japan in Suzuka.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Max Verstappen 1/4
Lando Norris 14/1
Sergio Perez 14/1
Oscar Piastri 20/1
Charles Leclerc 25/1
Lewis Hamilton 25/1
28/1 and better the balance, all prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Suggested Bet: Sergio Perez win at 14/1
Make no mistake Verstappen is a worthy favourite and I expect him to do the business, but at prohibitive odds of 1/4 (totally justified) I am looking elsewhere for an interest. Perez had a bit of a nightmare in Suzuka eventually having to retire and you have to go back 12 races to his last victory, but what tempts me here is the World Sports Betting Special that if he does win and Verstappen runs 2nd we can double our winnings, effectively getting 28/1. This is a speculative play and my main bet is outlined below.
Suggested Bet: Estaban Ocon, Points Finish at 7/10
Ocon finished 9th at Suzuka ahead of his teammate Gasly, also priced at 7/10 for a Top 10 finish. Ocon has been inconsistent this season with a few retirements, but when he does the distance he generally is in the Top 10 and I think his Alpine-Renault will be suited to the track.
Click here for betting on all of the Qatar Grand Prix markets
