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Tag: Red Bull Racing

  • Formula 1 | Hamilton’s Brazil GP Awakening – 12/1 Tip

    Formula 1 | Hamilton’s Brazil GP Awakening – 12/1 Tip

    Formula 1 arrives in São Paulo this weekend for the Brazil GP where an expectant crowd will welcome their adopted favourite, Lewis Hamilton.

    The seven-time World Champion was granted Brazilian citizenship last November.

    His affinity with legend Ayrton Senna and on-track heroics of his own has led to supporters taking him as one of their own.

    Following a strong second place finish in Mexico, Hamilton and Mercedes appear primed to build on their momentum.

    Let’s explore his prospects, along with a 12/1 tip and insight into the most likely challengers on Sunday.

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    Victory for adopted hero – 12/1

    Hamilton carries momentum into the Brazil GP weekend having recovered from two pointless outings to finish a fine runner-up in Mexico.

    Interlagos is a circuit he thrives on and where memories flood the mind, including his last triumph here in 2021, claiming victory from tenth on the grid during a tense title battle.

    Returning to the scene of their sole win of 2022, Mercedes will hope to provide their lead driver with a car worthy of challenging Max Verstappen.

    Related: Mercedes’ Battle Boils Over In Qatar GP Heat

    On race day, Brazil’s high altitude level promises to reduce the deficit of a high drag package, an area the Silver Arrows have frequently struggled in.

    Crucially, this may hinder the straight line speed advantage that Red Bull would otherwise hold on the steep climb approaching Turn 1. There is potential for this to be key in Hamilton’s battle with Perez in the standings.

    Furthermore, the middle sector of the Interlagos lap features several mid to low speed corners. This happens to be a particular strength of the Mercedes design.

    Hamilton can utilise this to close the gap heading onto the long, slingshot-like pit straight to attempt an overtake.

    Should the above materialise, there is potential for a repeat of 2021’s showdown for victory between Verstappen and Hamilton.

    Claim odds of 12/1 and a free bet with William Hill for Hamilton to win the Brazil GP. 

    Norris to crash carnival? – Evs

    McLaren’s Lando Norris will also look to continue his excellent form.

    Following a qualifying error in Mexico, the Brit battled from 19th on the grid, pulling off several remarkable overtakes to P5.

    The result provided a clear statement from Norris that he remains the team number one, following a recent upturn in form from rookie teammate Oscar Piastri.

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    Norris’ performance was yet another demonstration of McLaren’s competitiveness on every style of circuit.

    Like Mercedes, they too promise to reap the rewards of the lack of air density at Sao Paulo. This should bring top speeds closer together across the grid.

    On Saturday, expect Norris to rediscover his qualifying form, placing him in an optimum position to return to the podium on Sunday.

    Claim odds of evens and a free bet with William Hill for Norris to secure his seventh podium of the season at the Brazil GP. 

  • Formula 1 | Mexican Grand Prix Tip for Home Hero Perez

    Formula 1 | Mexican Grand Prix Tip for Home Hero Perez

    The Formula 1 paddock heads for the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend with little time to digest Sunday’s thrilling race at COTA.

    Sergio Perez heads into his home race needing a positive result amid retirement rumours and quashed reported finishing position ultimatums.

    Perez struggled to make progress in Austin last time out, finishing a distant P5 while teammate Verstappen was once again victorious against the odds.

    The Guadalajara native arrives to a hero’s welcome this weekend, but the Red Bull driver will be under pressure to deliver from an expectant home crowd.

    Mexico should also see the continued resurgence of McLaren, and we are eyeing a strong 8/13 tip for the race.

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    Home heroics

    Six-time race winner Perez is in search of a first podium in four races entering Mexican Grand Prix weekend.

    This weekend presents an ideal opportunity to rediscover his previous form on a circuit where he has twice finished in the top three.

    A track that traditionally suits the Red Bull package – having won four of the last five races – Perez has the tools to repeat his past successes on Sunday.

    Related: Singapore Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    Expect the Mexican to benefit from Red Bull’s efficient DRS system on Mexico’s 1.2km pit straight.

    This should aid overtaking manoeuvres and increase the potential to progress through the race, should Perez struggle in qualifying.

    Considering these factors, Perez to finish on the podium has a good chance of landing, with William Hill offering odds of 8/13.

    Rival resurgence

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    Away from Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes showed promising pace throughout the U.S Grand Prix once more.

    Lewis Hamilton pushed Verstappen closely to finish second while Charles Leclerc snagged pole, before struggling on a one-stop strategy come race day.

    Controversially, both drivers would be disqualified post race for failing to adhere to the FIA’s floor wear regulations.

    Hamilton will be especially keen to bounce back immediately from this setback, now sitting 39 points behind Perez in their fight for runner-up in the Driver’s Championship.

    Although the seven-time champion has struggled to find success in Mexico, Mercedes appear to have discovered a turn of pace with their latest upgrades.

    Expect both Hamilton and teammate George Russell to fight for podium positions.

    William Hill have a 4/6 shot for Hamilton to finish in the top three.

    McLaren’s mixed fortunes

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    An in-form Lando Norris continued his scintillating run of results with P3 and another podium last weekend.

    Unfortunately for the team, rookie Oscar Piastri retired following damage suffered in a Lap 1 collision.

    A fourth consecutive podium for Norris at a track not especially suited to the McLaren highlights the team’s progress this season.

    Furthermore, Norris appeared to have a pace advantage over Piastri throughout the weekend. This comes after momentum seemed to be swinging towards the Australian rookie in recent races.

    Mexico’s fast, sweeping corners promise to suit the McLaren car. They were particularly strong at similar circuits such as Silverstone and Suzuka.

    With Norris in the best form of his young career and Piastri looking to return to the podium, motivation will be high to achieve a positive result.

    Norris especially will be determined to finally go one better and claim victory, with odds of 20/1 available with William Hill.

     

    Click here to claim a free bet to use on this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.

     

    Read Next: Mercedes’ Battle Boils Over in Qatar GP Heat

  • Formula 1 | 8/1 McLaren COTA tip ahead of triple-header

    Formula 1 | 8/1 McLaren COTA tip ahead of triple-header

    The Formula 1 circus rolls into Austin this week for the United States Grand Prix Sprint weekend.

    As the dust settles on a hectic, humid race last time out in Qatar, McLaren arrive as the paddock’s form team.

    The Woking outfit capitalised on a turn 1 clash between Mercedes’ teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to claim a double podium in Lusail.

    The team also showcased their current high operating levels by breaking the record for the sport’s fastest ever pit stop at 1.80 seconds.

    Let’s explore McLaren’s chances this weekend, including an 8/1 tip and other areas of value across the grid.

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    Papaya pace

    McLaren’s resurgence of late has received praise from key figures on the F1 grid following the Qatar GP.

    Chief among those to applaud the British manufacturer was newly-crowned three-time champion Max Verstappen.

    The Dutchman pointed to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as the sport’s strongest driver line-up.

    This came following their second consecutive double podium and Piastri’s first taste of F1 success with a pole and victory in Saturday’s sprint.

    Furthermore, McLaren’s pace relative to Verstappen’s Red Bull caught the eye in Qatar. Piastri finished just 4.8 seconds behind the reigning champion, with Norris close behind him.

    The reduced gap solidifies the team as the Red Bull’s closest challengers, which bodes well for the remaining five races.

    Should Verstappen falter out in the lead, expect McLaren to capitalise.

    COTA’s fast sweeping corners – a strong suit for the team – suggest another strong weekend await their drivers.

    A win for Norris can be found with William Hill at odds of 11/1, with Piastri priced slightly higher at 14/1.

    Piastri’s purple patch

    F1 rookie Piastri has built on his stellar junior record to deliver on the biggest stage this season.

    The Australian began steadily enough, but has recently found his feet. A Sprint race victory and second place in Qatar followed a first podium in Japan.

    Related: Tensions Rise At Japanese Grand Prix For Mercedes

    His performance last time out means Norris has once again been beaten to success by an Aussie teammate after Daniel Ricciardo’s victory in 2021.

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    Piastri is beginning to out-qualify Norris consistently. This proved a key factor in benefitting from McLaren’s team orders call and securing second place in Qatar.

    He now sits just 26 points away from becoming F1’s highest ever points-scoring rookie.

    Piatri’s pace shows no signs of slowing. He is priced at 8/1 with William Hill to claim a maiden victory before the end of the season.

    Teams targeting COTA comeback

    Two teams inparticular will be aiming to bounce back in COTA following a gruelling battle with extreme heat in Qatar.

    Mercedes will hope to put the weekend behind them following their driver’s opening lap clash.

    The eight-time champions will introduce a floor upgrade in Texas as they target second place ahead of Ferrari.

    They will hope to replicate their result at this race last season, where Hamilton narrowly missed out on victory to Verstappen.

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    Further down the grid, AlphaTauri are also set to bring upgrades to the Lone Star State ahead of Daniel Ricciardo’s return from injury.

    This arrives following another poor result for Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.

    Rumours have been circulating across the paddock about the Mexican’s potential retirement, with an announcement possible at the Mexican Grand Prix.

    With that in mind, Ricciardo’s return promises to pile pressure on Perez as he looks for a first podium in three races.

     

    Click here for odds of 10/3 and a free bet with William Hill for Lewis Hamilton to finish runner up in the Driver’s Championship.

  • Formula 1 | Mercedes Battle Boils Over in Qatar Grand Prix Heat

    Formula 1 | Mercedes Battle Boils Over in Qatar Grand Prix Heat

    The Qatar Grand Prix was plagued by extreme humidity, but it was the Mercedes camp that reached boiling point on Sunday.

    Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collided at the races’ first corner, an accident many felt inevitable.

    Several flashpoints have occurred in recent races between the pair as they battle to secure intra-team supremacy.

    Let’s explore the incident and the impact it may have on Hamilton’s fight for second in the Drivers’ Championship.

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    Teammate turmoil

    The potential for fireworks at the start of the Qatar Grand Prix was high with the Mercedes’ pair lining up second and third on the grid.

    However, the team appeared to ignite the situation further by opting to start Hamilton on the faster, soft tyres.

    The decision enabled the seven time champion to pull alongside his younger teammate off the line.

    Such was his speed, Hamilton found himself challenging for the lead into Turn 1.

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    Unfortunately, not for the first time this weekend, three into one did to go.

    Russell clipped his teammates’ rear wheel as he struggled for space between the Mercedes and Red Bull of Max Verstappen.

    The collision ripped the rear-right tyre from Hamilton’s car, resulting in a race-ending trip to the gravel.

    Radio exchanges that followed were heated as each driver clearly felt the other was to blame.

    Having reflected on this, Hamilton later apologised and took full responsibility for the clash that saw Mercedes fail to capitalise on a huge double podium opportunity.

    The blame game

    Despite Hamilton accepting blame for the Lap 1 incident, many thought Mercedes could have deployed team tactics to avoid a crash.

    By starting one car on softer rubber, it was key to ensure that driver made use of the pace advantage before the tyre life expired.

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    Therefore, had Mercedes requested that Russell did not fight Hamilton off the line, it would likely have benefitted both of their races.

    Related: Hamilton Keen To Continue Season Momentum

    Russell revealed in his post-race interview that this had been discussed before lights out.

    Team principal Toto Wolff has long operated a ‘let them race’ policy among his drivers.

    However, had Hamilton been allowed past Russell and challenged Verstappen for the lead, the Qatar Grand Prix story may have ended quite differently for Mercedes.

    Texas tension

    Both Hamilton and Russell settled their initial radio comments with a post-race handshake.

    There appears to be a level of respect between the British pair. However, the incident will likely be at the forefront of each driver’s mind if they are to do battle when F1 heads to Austin, Texas.

    Hamilton has history of teammate controversy at the circuit. The team will hope there is no repeat of his turn one clash with Nico Rosberg in 2016.

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    From a points perspective, no major ground was lost this weekend in either drivers’ or constructors’ standings.

    Mercedes maintained second place ahead of Ferrari, meanwhile, Hamilton lost bare minimal points to Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in his fight for second.

    As a result, Hamilton leaves Qatar still with a good chance of finishing runner up – an 11/2 bet picked out last week.

    As both Mercedes’ drivers search for a first win in 2023, the potential for further drama promises to continue.

     

    Click here to use a free bet for the United States Grand Prix 

    Claim odds of 11/2 with William Hill for Lewis Hamilton to finish second in the Drivers’ Championship. 

  • Formula 1 | 11/2 Hamilton Tip for Qatar Grand Prix

    Formula 1 | 11/2 Hamilton Tip for Qatar Grand Prix

    The Qatar Grand Prix is likely to see Max Verstappen clinch his third Formula 1 title encompassing Saturday’s sprint race, a format he previously criticised.

    However, many fans have already turned their attention to the chasing pack.

    Lewis Hamilton faces a battle to beat Red Bull’s Sergio Perez to second in the Driver’s Championship.

    Meanwhile, The Silver Arrows are also locked in a fierce battle with former title rivals Ferrari in their battle for Constructor’s runner-up.

    Read on to explore why a 11/2 tip has caught the eye in Qatar.

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    Hamilton hunts Perez

    Hamilton arrives in Lusail having closed to within 33 points of Perez.

    He returns to the scene of his last F1 victory in 2021, an event that he dominated in both qualifying and on race day.

    The seven-time champion insists finishing runner up to Verstappen is not important to him.

    However, given Mercedes’ inconsistent pace, the achievement will likely provide some personal satisfaction as well as hope ahead of 2024.

    Related: Tensions Rise at Japanese Grand Prix for Mercedes

    The smooth track surface in Qatar promises to suit Mercedes’ car, which has, once again, suffered from porpoising at certain points.

    Saturday’s sprint race also provides an additional opportunity to close the gap on Perez, whose poor form continued with retirement in Japan.

    Based on this evidence, Hamilton stands a good chance of reducing the points deficit this weekend. 

    Old rivals reunited

    Elsewhere, Hamilton’s Mercedes team face stern competition for second in the Constructor’s Championship from former title rivals.

    The incentive to finish as runner-up to Red Bull promises to benefit Hamilton in his own pursuit of Perez.

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    Ferrari have gained recent ground with two podium finishes in three races, including a victory in Singapore.

    As a result, Mercedes will be highly motivated to recover this deficit at the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend.

    Expect Hamilton to lead the team once again and deliver crucial points in both standings.

    Hamilton 11/2 to finish runner-up

    Backing Hamilton to finish second to Verstappen in the championship represents good value ahead of the Qatar race weekend.

    Perez appeared to be finding form following a podium in Monza.

    However, the Mexican may be low on confidence after his last two races.

    Red Bull are not expected to bring any more major performance upgrades after clinching the constructor’s crown in Japan, leaving Perez to rely on his own performance.

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    In contrast, Hamilton heads into the final six races with a highly motivated team.

    The remaining rounds of season suggest favourable circuits for Mercedes.

    A trip to Brazil in November carries decent hopes after their sole win of 2022, whilst a first venture to Las Vegas promises an unpredictable contest for all teams.

    With a performance upgrade rumoured to be introduced in Texas, Hamilton has the tools available to overhaul his rivals.

    Despite Verstappen cruising towards his third consecutive title, the battle behind could go right down to the wire. 

     

    Lewis Hamilton is 11/2 with William Hill to finish second in the standings.

    Click here to use a free bet on this tip and the weekend’s action in Qatar. 

     

  • Formula 1 | Tensions Rise at Japanese Grand Prix for Mercedes

    Formula 1 | Tensions Rise at Japanese Grand Prix for Mercedes

    The Japanese Grand Prix saw tensions arise between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell as the pair’s battle for intra-team supremacy continued.

    One week on from Marina Bay where the pair were both in a position to clinch a first race victory of 2023 – while they fought for lower positions this weekend – their radio calls appeared higher in intensity. 

    The events have placed a spotlight on the driver’s relationship, as despite not being in attendance, Team principal Toto Wolff was forced to intervene during the race.

    What could the Silver Arrows’ all-Brit rivalry mean for the team going forward?

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    Japan jostle

    Race day at Suzuka saw Hamilton start ahead of Russell for the first time since before F1’s summer break. 

    With their rivals appearing to have an Asian edge, the teammates found themselves close together throughout.

    Coming close to contact when Russell passed Hamilton into the chicane five laps into the race, Hamilton responded immediately by picking up a slipstream down the pit straight and sweeping around the outside of turn one. 

    The move felt like something of a statement from the seven-time world champion who left Russell bemused by his straight-line speed advantage. 

    Battle lines would continue as Russell looked to capitalise on Hamilton’s mistake at the second Degner corner. 

    As a result, both drivers would run wide at Spoon Curve, as Russell voiced his frustration over team radio. 

    The incident was clearly in the front of the young Brit’s thinking when the pair met on track in the races’ closing stages. 

    Team order tension

    With Mercedes opting to split their race strategy, Hamilton would close on Russell with fresher tyres during the closing stages in Japan.

    Consequently, the pair were in danger of both losing a position to last week’s race winner Carlos Sainz.

    Hamilton found himself being held up by his teammate for the second week running, eventually prompting a call from the team to reverse the positions.

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    Russell had requested that Hamilton aid him by staying close in front to provide a tow and DRS, a trick used against him in Singapore by Sainz. 

    Related: Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    However, Mercedes decided to overrule this request with Hamilton clearly feeling he had lost time and a potential shot at fourth place. 

    This is not the first time that Russell has attempted to assert his dominance by making unorthodox decisions and radio calls.

    Zandvoort 2021 saw the Kings Lynn driver pit for fresh tyres, leaving Hamilton to defend the lead on worn rubber and eventually overtaking him on track.  

    Mercedes’ hope to challenge for race wins again next season but in-team issues might yet intervene.

    Future fallout

    In-house friction is no strange bedfellow to Mercedes in the past, and it could threaten to derail team progress.

    Between 2023-2016, a strong dynamic between Hamilton and former teammate Nico Rosberg ended in acrimony as the two battled for the title.  

    As tensions boiled, friends became foes.

    With a still green Russell looking to make his mark, whilst also seeking to secure his future as team leader, will history repeat itself? 

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    Hamilton himself will be determined to re-claim the championship that he and many others felt was stolen from him in 2021.

    For now, harmony remains, but as season reaches its climax over the coming weeks, the gloves at Mercedes could yet come off.

     

    Click here for a free bet to use when F1 resumes for the Qatar GP in two weeks time. 

    Claim odds of 33/1 for Lewis Hamilton to clinch a race win in 2023 with William Hill.

     

    Next: Williams’ Albon Thriving in Team Leader Role

  • Formula 1 | Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    Formula 1 | Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    The Singapore Grand Prix was a reminder of the excitement Formula 1 can deliver when the playing field is leveled for Red Bull Racing.

    Was Team principle Christian Horner correct in his insistence that FIA’s clampdown on flexible bodywork had no impact to the team’s performance this weekend? It appears suspicious that such a dramatic decline in pace should come directly following this rule change. Nevertheless, fans were treated to a rare five-car battle for the lead in Sunday’s thriller, nearer to expectations heading into the season. 

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    Red Bull’s rotten week

    It’s fair to say, it was a week to forget for Red Bull, both on and off track. Even before arriving at Marina Bay, the Milton Keynes outfit dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Following Dr. Helmut Marko’s incendiary comments, Red Bull’s Advisor to the Team appeared to blame Sergio Perez’ poor performances on his ethnicity. The FIA were under heavy pressure to act throughout the week, and finally reprimanded the 80-year-old. However, many felt his punishment lacked severity.

    Ryanair Join Debate Surrounding Helmut Marko On Social Media

    Red Bull have been untouchable throughout 2023, but sentiment of this kind threatens to divert attention away from their stellar season. 

    No flexi-wings, no pace

    Christian Horner was staunch in defence of his team’s compliance with F1 rules this weekend. This came following an FIA technical directive ahead of the Singapore to control the flexibility of aerodynamic parts. Horner’s comments were, by and large, echoed by team principles across the paddock.

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    Many appeared to dismiss the idea that Red Bull could suffer such a sudden decline following a small rule tweak. However, fans can be forgiven for thinking the team have been pegged back judging by their weekend performance.

    Related: Relentless Verstappen Bent On Season Dominance

    After both cars failed to make Q3 after electing not to pit under an early safety car, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez found themselves tumbling down the order. Remarkably, Singapore was the first time the Dutchman has been passed on track this season. The true impact of the rule change on Red Bull’s performance won’t be measured until Japan next weekend. Regardless, the Austrian manufacturer can still clinch their second consecutive constructors title at Suzuka.

    Rivals’ gain

    As the top dogs floundered, the chasing pack wasted no time in capitalising. Following a Virtual Safety Car period, Sunday’s race exploded into life, prompting Mercedes to pit both their cars with fresh tyres. As the pressure piled on Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton charged toward the leaders, with the latter the faster of the pair.

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    As Russell struggled to make progress behind Lando Norris, Hamilton was vocal on the radio in his attempts to hurry his teammate along. Pressures of the seven-time champion then saw Russell eventually crash on worn tires during the final lap, after clipping a wall. Sainz cruised home to victory ahead of Norris, as Hamilton trundled home to claim a 196th career podium. Mercedes are now approaching their ideal set-up; inevitably, disharmony between the Brit duo could now appear. The relationship may become truly tested if wins become a more frequent possibility.

     

    Click here for a free bet on Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

    Claim odds of 16/1 with William Hill for Carlos Sainz to repeat his Singapore victory at Suzuka.

     

    Next: Williams’ Albon Thriving In Team Leader Role

  • Formula 1 | Singapore Hope as Chasing Pack Look to Thwart Red Bull

    Formula 1 | Singapore Hope as Chasing Pack Look to Thwart Red Bull

    The Singapore Grand Prix has delivered some thrilling Formula 1 races in recent years and last year’s event was no exception.

    Sergio Perez fought off Charles Leclerc to take victory, capitalising on teammate Max Verstappen’s lowly grid position.

    Looking a little further back in history, 2017’s rain-soaked start saw Sebastian Vettel swerve off the line, colliding with Kimi Raikkonen and Verstappen, to end the race for all three drivers. 

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    The Asian stop has also seen its fair share of controversy too.

    2008 saw Renault instruct Nelson Piquet JR to crash, ultimately allowing teammate Fernando Alonso to pit under the resulting safety car and set himself up for victory. 

    Jumping back to the present, during a season where Red Bull look to sweep the board, the streets of Singapore present an opportunity for the chasers to break the team’s dominance.  

    But who could make a statement in Sunday’s Grand Prix?

    Hungry Hamilton

    Four-time winner in Singapore, Lewis Hamilton, returns eager for another victory to back up his season form.

    The seven-time champion has fond memories of Marina Bay and 2018 saw the Briton deliver one of his most complete pole laps in a struggling Mercedes that weekend.

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    Hamilton, one race win from equalling the record for Singapore victories, will be keen to play on the strengths of his Mercedes. 

    Related: Mercedes’ Hamilton Keen to Continue Season Momentum

    High downforce circuits have seen the team’s most competitive performances this season.

    Hamilton claimed pole in Budapest and was P2 in Barcelona – a double podium for the Silver Arrows. 

    At a circuit he thrives on, the Stevenage driver will hope to break his on-going and rather thorny drought.

    Leclerc lurks

    Charles Leclerc was at the centre of much of the entertainment last time out at Monza.

    His battles with Perez and teammate Carlos Sainz had the Tifosi on the edge of their seats at the Temple of Speed.

    Leclerc will have been disappointed at being unable to challenge the pace of Verstappen, restricted to fight for the lower steps on the podium.

    However, the Monegasque driver will have been encouraged that his Ferrari was the second quickest car.

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    Singapore’s twisty street circuit presents an alternative challenge to Italy and Leclerc has performed strongly on similar high downforce layouts this season.

    Baku saw him convert pole into a podium finish, with a similarly strong result in Canada. 

    The Ferrari driver will hope to replicate his pace from 2022 here, when he pushed Perez closely throughout to finish as eventual runner-up.

    Notwithstanding, Leclerc will be wary of better performing teams around him.

    Alonso hopes

    Marina Bay presents Fernando Alonso with another opportunity to win in 2023. 

    At the Monaco GP, the Spaniard had a chance to leapfrog Verstappen to take the lead had his team opted to pit a lap earlier. 

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    Despite missing out on the win, it was Aston Martin’s most competitive showing of the season.

    The similarity between the two circuits will offer encouragement to Alonso, who is winless since 2013. 

    With second place at Zandvoort recently, there is every chance both the team and Alonso can compete at the front end of the grid this weekend. 

     

    Click here for a free bet on this weekend’s Singapore grand Prix

    Use a free bet to Claim odds of 18/1 for Alonso to win the Singapore Grand Prix

     

    Next: Albon Thriving In William’s Team Leader Role

  • Formula 1 | Verstappen Edges Toward Title At Monza

    Formula 1 | Verstappen Edges Toward Title At Monza

    World Drivers Championship leader Max Verstappen continued his surge towards a third title in last Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix.

    Picking up a ninth consecutive victory, the Dutchman equaled a record set by former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel in 2013.

    However, unlike some of his drives this season, it was not plain sailing in Zandvoort, as Verstappen now closes on the crown at Monza.

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    Downpour chaos

    Last weekend, a rain deluge on Lap 1 caused chaos with the grid all running on dry tyres.

    During the average F1 season, it is rare that a circuit becomes soaked as quickly as Zandvoort did last Sunday afternoon.

    As the lights went out, the heavens opened.

    By half way around the opener, it was clear wet tyres would be required as the drivers scrambled to the pits.

    Related: Red Bull threaten season sweep

    This handed the advantage to Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez. He would lead the early stages with more rain, safety cars and red flags all proving obstacles for the reigning champion.

    Perez and Pierre Gasly were among the drivers that reaped the rewards from pitting instantly, while those that stayed out ultimately lost time.

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    Verstappen, who elected to stay out for an extra lap, dropped towards the lower end of the points positions. Worse off, Mercedes’ pair of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell found themselves bringing up the rear. Hamilton, at one stage, was in 20th and last place.

    The eventual drying track allowed drivers that were caught out by the rain to make amends.

    Verstappen was able to close in and undercut Perez for the lead while Hamilton would recover to sixth courtesy of some brave overtakes.

    If there is a threat of rain for this weekend’s Italian GP, expect Verstappen’s advantage over the field to be greater still.

    Ultimately, the pace of Verstappen and the Red Bull was again no match for the field last weekend, however, there were several outstanding performances across the grid.

    Could form spill over into Monza?

     

    Midfield chances

    The changeable conditions presented rare chances for midfield teams to claim a haul of points in last time out.

    It was Gasly who capitalised on the ground made by his early pit stop to deliver a first podium since 2021.

    Alpine will be encouraged that even in the dry conditions, the Frenchman was able to catch and pass Carlos Sainz’ Ferrari to eventually benefit from Perez’ own time penalty –  claiming third place.

    The upturn in pace comes at a perfect time for the Enstone-based team. Monza was the scene of Gasly’s maiden and only F1 win to date. Alpine will be looking to continue their momentum at a circuit their driver holds fond memories of.

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    Williams’ Alex Albon, meanwhile, continued his fine season with eighth place in the Netherlands.

    Initially electing to stay out with dry tyres on a wet track, Albon would ultimately save himself a whole pit stop. He managed the dry tyres on a wet track brilliantly to ensure he had enough grip left when the conditions improved.

    WIlliams are another outfit looking forward to the Italian GP and their car has consistently shown excellent top speed levels due to their low-drag design.

    Expect Albon to qualify well on the Temple of Speed’s infamous straights and be difficult to overtake on race day.

    McLaren and Mercedes falter

    Rivals for second place in the constructors standings, McLaren and Mercedes, both had sub-par races in Zandvoort.

    Poor strategy calls saw the duo elect to stay out on dry tyres in a hope that the rain would pass.

    However, this saw both Lando Norris and Russell drop from second and third respectively to outside the points completely.

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    The pair would eventually come together in the race’s closing stages as a resulting puncture for Russell saw the Briton fail to finish for the third time this season.

    Hamilton, last at one stage, managed to battle back to a sixth place finish with Norris seventh and Oscar Piastri ninth.

    Although both teams will be keen to bounce back, Monza may not be the most likely of races to deliver a strong showing.

    Italy could be a defining stop on this season’s calendar.

     

    Click here for free bets for the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

    Verstappen is 7/4 to win, qualify on pole and set the fastest lap in Italy with William Hill.

  • F1 Champions Threaten To Take Clean Sweep In 2023

    F1 Champions Threaten To Take Clean Sweep In 2023

    SF1 champions Red Bull Racing have so far dominated the 2023 season. It has has seen their rivals scrambling for answers from race to race in an attempt to close the gap.

    The year has not been short of unpredictable outcomes and entertaining storylines. However, predicting the race winning team has so far not proven to be a difficult task.

    Where many expected the field to condense, Red Bull have taken a huge step forward in performance.

    As a result, they now find themselves in a position to complete a season clean sweep, an accolade that is yet to be claimed in the sport’s history.

    Here, we discuss the likelihood of the team being able to claim the season’s remaining race victories.

     

    The size of Red Bull’s pace advantage

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    The pace advantage of the RB19 has been evident by some of the winning margins achieved so far in their 12 victories.

    In particular, Max Verstappen has been able to consistently take the flag with a lead in excess of 20 seconds to the nearest competitor. 

    There had been rumours of potential stumbling blocks throughout the season which could pose a threat to their perfect year – one being the Monaco Grand Prix.

    However, with this event navigated despite mid race rain and a challenge from Fernando Alonso, the target appears to becoming more and more realistic with every weekend. 

    Verstappen eventually claimed victory by 27 seconds on the shortest and highest risk circuit of the year. This achievement truly underlined the car’s peak levels of performance. 

    With Max in seamless form, he only adds to argument that Red Bull could stop their rivals from taking the chequered flag at any race this season. 

     

    The Potential Threats

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    As ever in Formula 1, there are no foregone conclusions. Reliability, driver mistakes, weather and strategic errors can quickly put pain to an excellent result. 

    Red Bull have been near flawless in terms of their car’s reliability. However, the team must still navigate the longest season to date which has the potential to put strain on the engine and gearbox.

    Related: Relentless Verstappen Bent on Season Dominance

    This is something very much beyond the control of the team, as a failure can occur at any time, putting an end to a magnificent run. 

    This season has also thrown up many surprises in terms of weather, with rain affecting a number of Grand Prix’s so far. 

    The drivers and team will need to ensure they stay vigilant should such a scenario arise. A lapse in concentration is often more costly in wet conditions. 

     

    The chasing pack’s challenge

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    Throughout the first half of the season, Red Bull have been completely out of reach on pure pace.

    Fernando Alonso initially threatened to challenge at the front. From Monaco onwards, this challenge has faltered, along with the pace of the Aston Martin. 

    Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are the only non-Red Bull drivers to manage a pole position this season. Despite this, the pair  lacked the pace to maintain the lead on race day. 

    Last season, Mercedes did manage to claim a victory in the latter stages of the season. They were able to capitalise on their rivals changing their development focus to the following season’s car. 

    Related: F1: Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton keen to continue season momentum.

    This may present an opportunity for Red Bull’s rivals to steal a victory in the twilight of the F1 season. A new venue in Las Vegas is an unknown for all of the teams. It could pose a threat to the perfect record. . 

    There is no doubting that the team’s motivation to achieve this will be high. They will therefore be difficult to stop on pure pace alone and may only be halted by external factors. 

     

    You can claim odds of 12/1 at Unibet for Sergio Perez to win the Dutch GP this weekend in the dominant Red Bull.

    Do you think Red Bull will claim victory at every race in 2023? Click here to claim three £10 free bets. 

    Next: familiarise yourself with some of the other stand-out performers from the first half of the 2023 season.