Formula
1 officially referred to is the highest class of auto racing sanctioned
by the Federation International de l'Automobile (FIA). The F1 inaugural
season dates back to 1950 and will now be its 60th year. The season
consists of a series of races, 19 races scheduled for the 2010, are
known as Grand Prix. These are held on purpose-built circuits, and to a
lesser extent, former public roads and closed city streets i.e. Monaco.
The results of each race are combined to determine two annual World
Championships, one for the drivers and one for the constructors, with
racing drivers, constructor teams, track officials, organizers, and
circuits required to be holders of valid Super Licenses the highest
class racing license issued by the FIA.
Formula One cars race at
high speeds (220 mph) with engines revving up to a formula imposed
limit of 18,000 rpm. The performance of the cars is highly dependent on
electronics aerodynamics, suspension, and on tyres. Europe is
Formula One's traditional centre, where all of the teams are based, and
where around half of the races take place. However, the sport's scope
has expanded significantly in recent years and Grand Prix are held all
over the world. Events in Europe and the Americas have been dropped in
favor of races in Asia and the Far East—of the seventeen races in 2009,
eight were held outside Europe.
Formula One is a massive
television event, with an aggregate global audience of 600 million
people per season. As the world's most expensive sport its economic
effect is significant, and its financial and political battles are
widely covered. Its high profile and popularity make it an obvious
merchandising environment, which leads to very high investments from
sponsors, translating into extremely high budgets for the constructors.
Here are our picks for this year’s Formula One season:
The 2010 Formula 1 1st race
starts on the 14th March 2010. As the current betting odds suggest this
is going to be one of the closest fought battles for the winners drivers and
constructer championship ever. With half a dozen drivers capable of winning this
year’s drivers crown value does present itself on the betting markets. It is
widely suggested by leading pundits that the world’s Top 8 drivers are spread
over the Top 4 teams. We have 19 races in the 2010 season, with 12 teams and 24
drivers in all make one of the largest fields in some time.
With a huge range of betting
markets including a few special let’s take a look at the value options below.
2010 Drivers Championship Outright
Here is how the bookies
see if before the season starts:
Alonso
(Ferrari) 11/4 Best Odds with William Hills
Widely regarded as the
finest driver on the grid Alonso has finally landed a big team move he craved
for years. Highly talented 2 time world champion is one of the few drivers who
got the better of the great Michael Schumacher when picking up his 2 time world
championship status. Too short a price for our liking at 11/4 with W.Hills,
Ferrari had an awful season last year and in testing they did not set the world
alight. When things do not go right for
the Spaniard it is likely to affect his driving, who remembers in 2007 when
Lewis Hamilton outpaced him and the toys where thrown out of the pram.
Hamilton
(McLaren) 4/1 Best Odds with Tote
Most exciting and aggressive
driver on the grid the young Englishman really has a big chance this year.
Undoubtly has the talent to regain his 2007 title but I fear for Lewis chances
here may be hampered with the new rules. Keeping your tyres and brakes in good
condition is going to be huge factor and this does NOT suite Lewis driving
skills.A more refined driver will obviously
have an advantage in this department so at 4/1 is hard to back Lewis again.
Vettel
(Redbull) 5/1 Best Odds with Boyles
Youngest ever winner of
Grand Prix when he triumphed at Monza a couple of years back the 22 year old
has a big chance to take it this year. Doesn’t live the playboy lifestyle many
young F1 drivers find themselves in, Vettel is a breath of fresh air. Took his
holiday in a caravan in Finland says it all. Got stronger and stronger as the
2009 season went on. The bookies recognise this and though 5/1 is not particularly
enticing the German has a big chance.
Schumacher
(Mercedes) 6/1 Best Odds with BetDaq
Without doubt the best
value here. Statistically the greatest ever F1 driver of all time the German
has 91 wins to his name. With the significant rule changes in mind, there’s no
doubt the ban on refuelling the race, the heavier cars and not to mention the
care of the tyres/brakes will be an advantage Schumacher. He is the only driver
who whom these circumstance aren’t foreign to. Most bookies are happy to lay Schumacher’s
chances but the comeback king is popular with punters. Schumacher is “by far
the worse result” in William Hills book should be become champion. The Leeds
based firm are eager to avoid a repeat of last season when they got their hands
burnt after Button & Brawn were backed at huge prices. Schumacher is going
to be No.1 Driver for Mercedes and back working with Ross Brawn is a major
factor in while I rate Schumacher’s chances as much as anyone else’s on the
grid.
BACK SCHUMACHER EACH WAY 0.5 A POINT WITH BETDAQ
Massa 9/1 (Ferrari)
Best Odds with Bet365
Felipe Massa chances
have all of been written off but many a betting expert. Massa looks to have
fully recovered from that freak incident last year and will be realising the
first race of the year in Bahrain, where is won in 2007 & 2008. Alonso is
the better driver of the 2 and the Ferrari is still not totally convincing so
would be one to avoid.
Button 12/1
(McLaren) Best Odds with Bet365
Button won 6 out of the
first 7 races in 2009 and the current odds still represent great each way
value. I backed Button at 20/1 with BWIN a few months back. That’s right. An
astonishing twenty to one on the current world champion, in a better car, to
win the title again! That’s sixth
favourite, in the bookies eyes. Button has since been shortened to 12/1 at best
odds (Victor Chandler have 7/1) . If the Brit picks up a win in Bahrain, where
he romped home to victory last year, his odds will tumble. A good start to the
season is vital. Whoever has won the first race in the last 4 years and gone on
to lift the driver crown. Button is the smoothest driver on the track, so
keeping those tyres & brake in good nick should not be an issue.
BACK BUTTON EACH WAY 0.5 POINT WITH BET 365
Special bet
With a huge amount of
points up for grabs this year, the top 10 places score. 1,919 are up for grabs
compared to 663 last year. A recommendation of the spread market would be to
Buy P De La Rossa points at 44. The Spaniard currently drives for Sauber has
looked smart in testing and De La Rossa could easily land himself 50+ points
this year.
