While the 2011 F1 Drivers Championship has been settled for the season, the final few races will be all about pride for the drivers. We are in Abu Dhabi this weekend for our F1 betting, and it looks as if the McLaren team is ready to make an impact here. This is the penultimate race of the F1 season and the British McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button went well in practice, while seeing World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso crash out. It was Hamilton who set the fastest pace in the first practice session and the team are sounding pretty confident of picking up a win, even with the Red Bulls and Ferrari’s running. There is a lot of pressure on Lewis Hamilton, whose season has been a bit of tumultuous one, with mistakes costing him dearly and which have grabbed him the wrong sort of headlines. He has completely been overshadowed by the very steady and consistent performances of team mate Jenson Button. Button has definitely out performed his team mate, and sits second in the Formula 1 Drivers World Championship standings, almost 40 points ahead of Hamilton. Button has racked up three wins over the course of the season, while Hamilton has managed two, but between them they have been able to make any kind of indent into Sebastian Vettel’s incredible season. While Hamilton did run up the fastest time in practice, it was a pretty close race with Button, so the McLarens do look very quick around the track, and they both should be in contention for a podium finish in your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix betting. Both the Red Bulls and the Ferrari’s look to be struggling just a little bit, with handling of the Ferrari for Alonso and Felipe Massa looking particularly troublesome. Ferrari probably won’t mind a few kinks in the works though, because they are basically testing out a new front wing which will be in place for next season. Alonso still showed his class behind the wheel though, by wrestling his car around for the third fastest time in practice, while the Red Bulls could only manage fourth and fifth.

So where does this leave us for our Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Betting? Well, with the twitchy Ferrari’s and the Red Bulls looking as if they need a little more time to settle down as well, it will be worth looking at the McLarens. At this stage of the season, Hamilton really has something to prove, his last podium finish coming two races ago with a second place at the Korean Grand Prix. Jenson Button landed second at the Indian Grand Prix in the last race from a fourth place start, so the British duo are pretty decent value for their runs at the Yas Marina this weekend. Just because of a tricky first practice, you can’t throw all bets on Sebastian Vettel out of the window. He, with the team will sort out whatever issues led him to losing control of his car on Turn 1 in practice. This is only the second race here at the Yas Marina, with Vettel winning ahead of  Hamilton and Button in second and third respectively last year at the impressive track. It looks as if it will actually be a pretty decent scrap for Pole Position here, because the McLarens do look pretty quick and impressive but you will expect a response from Vettel of course, the king of the Pole. Vettel is still favourite to start from the front of the grid, but that means there should be good value in backing either of the McLaren drivers to pinch in. Hamilton of course, is a little more gutsy in pushing the limits than Button, so wouldn’t be too afraid of having a punt on him to lead the race off. As for victory, the two McLarens, if they can get to the front of the grid, should be able to take this one. They look suited to the track, and with Vettel’s crash, if he has to start behind the McLaren duo then you wonder if he’ll just hang back and not really push the envelope when there is no real need to. Vettel is still the master, who everyone is trying to catch up to in terms of standards, but it could be a profitable weekend for the McLarens.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Pole Position Betting
Sebastian Vettel: 6/11 at Bwin
Lewis Hamilton: 4/1 at BetFred
Jenson Button: 10/1 at BetFred
Mark Webber: 12/ 1 at SportingBet
Fernando Alonso: 16/1 at Stan James

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Pole Position Betting
Sebastian Vettel: 10/11 at Totesport
Lewis Hamilton: 4/1 at Ladbrokes
Jenson Button: 5/1 at Victor Chandler
Fernando Alonso: 9/1 at Paddy Power
Mark Webber: 10/1 at SportingBet

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It is probably only fitting that we see Sebastian Vettel on Pole Position for the first ever Indian Grand Prix. The Formula One season is all over, with the German Red Bull driver having already claimed his second world championship title. It is probably not the scenario that the Indian Grand Prix wanted, as there is no drama left to really entice the crowds. However, with the 2011 F1 season winding down, at least there are still some motor racing betting options to look at. With Vettel on Pole, the Red Bull team have made a bit of history by claiming 16 Pole Positions in one season. Thirteen of those have come from Vettel, who needs one more to equal the individual record set for one season. Seeing Vettel go from the front again, just puts all the eggs in his basket as it takes something so special to actually get the better of him. He is already strong outright favourite in Indian Grand Prix betting, so you are actually going to be better off looking in the Without Vettel Market really for value. Really you have to look down the field and try to ascertain who could possibly beat him. McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton was going well and actually finished second in qualifying, but will be starting down the grid, one place behind team mate Jenson Button, after picking up a penalty. Button, who has been the most in form driver on the F1 grid aside from Sebastian Vettel, hasn’t quite found the grip he would  like at the Indian Grand Prix, and his qualifying was hindered a bit by not having a clear track. So both of the British McLarens drivers have to play catch up once again to Sebastian Vettel, but at least Hamilton showed that maybe he is capable of challenging. But he has the other Red Bull and a Ferrari in front of him before he can even get to Vettel. So it is going to be another challenge in what has been a difficult season for him. With the place penalty served on Hamilton, it means that Vettel’s team mate Mark Webber will go from second, in front of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso. The Ferrari’s have looked pretty sharp and they could well be worth looking at in your betting. Again, it is highly likely that Vettel is going to reel off another win from the front, but Fernando Alonso went very well in his Ferrari, after his team mate Felipe Massa had shown a lot of promise in early practices. Alonso wasn’t far behind Vettel’s qualifying time, and therefore, he looks the most likely to steal a win, and also means that he is a decent shout in the Without Vettel Market for your Indian Grand Prix betting. Red Bull’s Mark Webber, who still hasn’t managed to pick up a win this season, should be good value for a place finish. But all eyes again on Vettel for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

Indian Grand Prix Winner
Sebastian Vettel: 8/15 at Bet365
Mark Webber: 9/2 at Boylesports
Fernando Alonso: 8/1 at BetFred
Jenson Button: 11/1 at SportingBet
Lewis Hamilton: 11/1 at SportingBet
Felipe Massa: 100/1 at SkyBet

Indian Grand Prix Without Vettel
Mark Webber 7/5, Fernando Alonso 11/4, Jenson Button 10/3, Lewis Hamilton 7/2, Felipe Massa 22/1 all at Paddy Power

While the F1 Drivers Championship has been all wrapped up by Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, we can still take a look at Korea F1 Grand Prix betting. First of all to practice. Lewis Hamilton came out on top on the second day of practice in Singapore, perhaps now realising that with the season over, he can relax and get back to what he can do best. Winning. It has been a pretty rough season for the McLaren driver, and by his own admissions he has made far too many mistakes. Hamilton put in a good practice in the wet conditions, and was perhaps a direct response for his terrible showing in Japan last weekend. He really was not at the races in any way shape of form again there, and it has now been a long five races since we have seen the British driver stand upon the podium at the end of a race. It all signifies that Hamilton has not been in his head this season, not focused and the pressure has gotten to him. There is not much he can do for the rest of the season now, certainly not to make amends for his poor showing over the year, but rounding out the season in good form, will at least offer some kind of apology to his team. The thing is, that Hamilton should be far more competitive than he has been, and his wayward aggression on the track has led him to problems throughout the season. He is quick enough to compete and the former World Champion needs some good performances now, and perhaps can relax and show the world what he is made of. There is the question of momentum only now for Hamilton over the last four races of the 2011 F1 season. His good performance in practice should put him in good stead now for the weekend, and the Englishman did put in a good drive here last season to finish second. Is he worth getting behind as an outright winner in Korea F1 betting though this weekend. That is the question. There is a case for him, because he needs to respond. Truthfully the McLaren’s, Red Bulls and Ferraris are pretty competitive with each, so it does come down to driver ability.

Hamilton has been extremely overshadowed by team mate Jenson Button this season, and Button’s win in Japan last week confirmed that. With the title won, Vettel may take it a little easier, so that means there is an opportunity for Lewis Hamilton, and at 4/1 with SkyBet in the Outright Winner market, there is good value on him here. The admission of his mistakes to the press was probably a big mental barrier which has been broken down, which should allow to get some concentration back and use these last four races to his advantage to raise his stock again. Button though does remain the stronger of the two McLaren drivers, there is no doubt about that. Only Vettel has won more races than Button, and the perhaps unexpected success over Hamilton for Button this season, has fuelled Button to gun for his second world championship next season. Button has all the form with him at the moment out of the two McLaren drivers, and with Button right behind Hamilton in practice, there looks to be a great opportunity for the McLaren drivers here. Red Bull’s Vettel tracked home third fastest after the second day’s practice. For your Korea F1 betting, it is worth looking at the two McLaren drivers , with Button trading for 7/2 at Totesport to win the race. Drivers are having some problems getting heat into their tyres, which effects grip and therefore speed in the wet conditions, but the circuit in Korea is a good mix of high speeds and some street light tight corners near the end of the track. So hopefully the weather will clear and we can get a genuine competitive race, as the circuit provides a good balance and so it should be pretty competitive.

Vettel is still the favourite to win the race and to take pole position in Korea F1 betting, but the German has been a bit understated in practice so far, suggesting that he may be relaxing a little bit. His stellar season has earned him back to back Drivers Championship titles now, and with all the hard work done, and failure to win in Suzuki last week, where the Red Bulls have dominated, suggested that there could be a strong run of form from their rivals McLaren to close out the season. You can’t dismiss Vettel totally of course, because he is one of the most cool and pragmatic drivers on the F1 circuit. He is very business like and efficient and so will probably still be hunting down a podium finish. Only once this season has Vettel not made it to the podium. Still positive value at 6/4 with SkyBet in backing him to win the race, and you can’t just gloss over him. He is going to be in the running, and always worth taking him for Pole Position, because he just totally dominates that wherever he goes.

Korea F1 Grand Prix Pole Position Betting Odds
Sebastian Vettel: 4/5 at Bet365
Lewis Hamilton: 4/1 at Totesport (4/6 SkyBet for Top 3 Finish)
Jenson Button: 11/2 at Victor Chandler (4/6 SkyBet for Top 3 Finish)
Mark Webber: 12/1 at SportingBet
Fernando Alonso: 12/1 at Bet365

Korea F1 Grand Prix Betting Odds Outright Winner
Sebastian Vettel: 6/4 at SkyBet
Jenson Button: 7/2 at SkyBet
Lewis Hamilton: 4/1 at Boylesports
Fernando Alonso: 11/2 at Paddy Power
Mark Webber: 10/1 at SportingBet

The anticipation for the new Formula One season is growing, with winter testing getting under way. This is where the teams really start preparing for the new season, and tweaking and testing their cars. As things are getting under way, it is a good time to start looking at some ante post F1 betting on the 2011 season, which doesn’t start until March. As expected, the Red Bull team were drawing a lot of attention, after they had won both the drivers and constructors championships last season, with Sebastian Vettel picking up the title in a thrilling, topsy turvy season. Vettel, with a new car, really had set down an early marker on the first day of testing, by setting the fastest time. These winter testing trials really aren’t about competing for times with the other teams and drivers, it is more about the teams testing themselves and finding out more about their cars and designs. However, you can’t ignore pace, and Vettel was again looking ready to jump straight into the new season to defend his title. Fellow team mate Mark Webber really didn’t have a lot of time in his car, and was hampered by a red flag during his run anyway, so couldn’t get any real kind of testing done. The Red Bulls have upgraded their car from last year, and there have been specific changes to the design, which is drawing a lot of interest. There have been changes under the hood, and exterior designs as well, intended for more speed and aid in overtaking. They have also moved from the Bridgestone tyres to the new Pirelli ones, and that is something which will need a lot of testing. Vettel early showing certainly was a positive for the team, and is a good sign for the season ahead, and you can expect them to be one of the front runners again this season. Red Bull have thrown their hat into the ring, getting their new car out early. There is a lot more research and development to go into this before the start of the season, but the signs are improved evolution from last year’s impressive car.

The Red Bulls have to be looked at again as favourites for betting on the new season, as they definitely had the fastest package last season, taking 9 of the 19 races from the season. There is an extra race on the calendar this year for the drivers, and Vettel will have a tough time defending his title. It is often harder to defend than to win something for the first time, and there is always the somewhat frosty relationship between Vettel and Webber, but that could be interpreted as a positive thing, as it certainly instills healthy competition. The Red Bulls should be up there for the constructors championship. The McLarens too have switched from Bridgestone to the new Pirelli tyres as well, and Lewis Hamilton looked solid, picking up the fourth fastest time of testing on the second day. That was his first outing, and was going in the 2010 McLaren. The McLarens said that they were simply testing the tyres, seeing what performance they could get out of them. Expect a lot more to come from the McLaren team over the series of winter testing, as this is really early doors. The McLarens will launch and unleash their new car on Friday in Berlin, before testing resumes next week in Jerez. Really can’t take away anything from the McLaren’s performances here as yet, but as Hamilton was still on the pace in the 2010 car, you would expect faster things to come.

Ferrari though, simply won’t lie down. After putting in such an impressive second half to the season last year, where two times Champion Fernando Alonso started winning with regularity and putting pressure on the Red Bulls, it was the Spaniard who responded the strongest to the early showing of the Red Bull team from day one. Alonso bettered Vettel’s fastest time in testing so far, shaving 0.3 seconds off the German’s time. This is the 2011 Ferrari, and they didn’t run as much as expected, as they were testing and tweaking their aerodynamics more than anything. They were also embroiled in testing different tyres as well, so again, it is hard to take too much away from these winter testing. But Alonso, last year’s runner up in the F1 championship, and his strong showing, does mean that the Ferrari’s will be strong again. They were supposed to make a big impact last season, after being head and shoulders the best team through the winter testing. However, the early part of the season was dominated by the McLarens and Red Bulls and it was not until the second half when they started mounting a challenge for the title though Alonso.

Much more to come from all the teams, including the Renault team with their innovative designs, and teams testing out new tyres and new features. Renault driver Robert Kubica finished fifth fastest on day two (fastest on day three!), with his teammate Narain Karthikeyan just behind him. The Renaults fired in an awful lot of laps during their testing. All teams move on to Jerez next week for more testing, while the first race of the new season will be in Bahrain on March 13th. Has Vettel got the mettle to defend his title? It is not an easy thing, driving with that extra pressure and having everyone gunning for you. Vettel is a great, young, exciting driver though, and doesn’t look as if he is going to let things get to him. Held his nerve well at the end of last season to take the title. You have to feel though that Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso will go a lot stronger from the start, and after missing out so narrowly last season, after being so far back in the title race at one point, his class and experience will be a major boon to him. The McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, will also court a lot of betting, and could be worth a punt, particularly on Hamilton. He is the more aggressive of the two, and that seems to be a buzz word around the sport at the moment. It is very early stages, but nothing like a good ante post bet on the 2011 F1 season while the prices are still strong. Tough to pin down because of the car developments for the new season, but you can expect the familiar faces to be in the running for the top spot.

F1 Betting Odds 2011 – Formula One Drivers Championship

Sebastian Vettel: 11/4 at Bet365
Fernando Alonso: 3/1 at SkyBet
Lewis Hamilton: 4/1 at Bet365
Michael Schumacher: 12/1 at BetFred
Nico Rosberg: 14/1 at Stan James
Mark Webber: 14/1 at Victor Chandler
Jenson Button: 18/1 at Bwin
Robert Kubica: 20/1 at Bodog
Felipe Massa: 30/1 at Bwin

F1 Betting Odds 2011 – Formula One Constructors

Red Bull: 15/8 at Victor Chandler
Ferrari: 5/2 at Bet365
McLaren: 5/2 at Bet365
Mercedes: 9/1 at BetFred
Lotus Renault: 22/1 at Bwin

The gloves are off and the penultimate race in the 2010 Formula One calendar is upon us. After Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso kept up his great form over the last quarter of the season to take the chequered flag at the inaugural Korean Grand Prix, the Spaniard can now win his third F1 title in Brazil on Sunday. The win for Alonso in Korea was huge, as Championship leader Mark Webber, along with his team mate Sebastian Vettel, both failed to finish, handing the impetus to Alonso. That is three out of the last four races now that Alonso has won, and he is going to take some stopping from here on out. Alonso is now in control at the top of the Drivers Championship by eleven points, and knows that he only needs to keep finishing ahead of Webber to take the title over the last two races. There are connotations which will see Alonso lift the title this weekend though, for if Alonso wins again and Mark Webber finishes fifth or lower, Alonso will be champion. If Alonso is second, he will win the title if Webber finishes eighth or lower, and if Alonso rolls in third, then Webber will need to be tenth or lower for Alonso to take the title. As for the chasing duo of Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, they would really need to outscore both Alonso and Webber heavily to keep their hopes alive going into the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

Formula One Drivers Championship Outright Odds

Fernando Alonso: 8/11 at SkyBet
Mark Webber: 23/10 at Bwin
Sebastian Vettel: 14/1 at Bet365
Lewis Hamilton: 14/1 at Blue Square

It really is looking like Alonso can’t and won’t be stopped now, in what has been a fantastic and thrilling season. Just to stir things up a bit, Alonso’s Ferrari team mate Felipe Massa has come out and said that he will help Alonso to win the title. This will no doubt stir up some controversy, as it was Massa who moved aside when leading the German Grand Prix to let Alonso through for the victory, when team orders are banned. That will, no doubt, raise its ugly head again, should Alonso go on and win the title. But this is all a little more innocent than that really, because what Massa means, is that by producing a strong race himself, he can take points away from Webber and the others. Why this is a big deal, is because Massa usually runs pretty strongly in Brazil, which is his home course. Having a team mate who should be challenging for a top six place at least comes in really handy. This is the case of the McLaren team with British duo Lewis Hamilton and defending champions Jenson Button. The finish of Massa in third at Korea, really helped team mate Alonso stretch his legs at the top of the standings. The win itself for Alonso, in the wet, really put a cap on some fine driving over these last few races.

Brazilian Grand Prix Winner Betting Odds

Sebastian Vettel: 5/2 at BetFred
Mark Webber: 13/5 at 888Sport
Fernando Alonso: 4/1 at Paddy Power
Lewis Hamilton: 6/1 at Stan James
Felipe Massa: 16/1 at Bet365
Jenson Button: 33/1 at SportingBet

Button is out of the running and would need a miracle not to lose his crown at the very track where he won it last year. That the wonderful irony of sport. However, he could still have a role to play in helping out his buddy Lewis Hamilton. There is no issue of seniority at McLaren, with the team supporting both Button and Hamilton equally. However, all that may change on Sunday, if Button can get in amongst things heavily. Hamilton is still in with a chance, however slight, of taking the title, or at least pushing it close for the final race of the season. For that to happen, he may just need the back up of Button to take points away from Alonso and Webber in particular. Hamilton is sitting 21 points behind the leader at the moment, and with 25 points up for grabs for a win, there are permutations which could see Hamilton in a much stronger position, but that would mean that Alonso and Webber would have to have very bad races really. That’s not too likely, but if Hamilton and Button grabbed a 1-2 for McLaren then it would be a huge boost for Hamilton, a former world Champion. Button can really make a nuisance of himself and help Hamilton out here, and with Button 42 points off the lead, with a maximum of 50 remaining, it looks as if he will have to settle into a supporting role whether he likes it or not. However, the McLarens really aren’t keeping up to the overall pace of the Ferrari’s or Red Bulls, so it will need something really special from Hamilton.

Brazilian Grand Prix Pole Position Betting

Sebastian Vettel: 15/8 at BetFred
Mark Webber: 3/1 at Bet365
Fernando Alonso: 6/1 at ExtraBet
Lewis Hamilton: 7/1 at SportingBet
Felipe Massa: 14/1 at BetFred
Jenson Button: 33/1 at SportingBet

Hamilton really has disappointed over the closing stages of the season, failing to finish in two successive races, until he got things back on track with a second place behind Alonso in Korea. Hamilton seems pretty up beat and confident, and if you want someone to go and aggressively chase down a title, then Hamilton would be your man, as he is an expert at driving the thin line between guts and glory. His crashes at the Italian and Singapore Grands Prix when he was leading the Drivers Championship though, will probably end up hurting him greatly. He will have no-one else to blame but himself for his aggression being his undoing in those races, and now he simply has nothing else to do but to go out and give it everything he has. From a F1 fan’s point of view, hopes are that there will be some big upsets in Brazil and everything will be extremely tight for the final race. Is there to be another twist in one of the most fascinating seasons there has been for years? It is great that there have been so many drivers in the hunt for so long, with the lead changing so much. The McLarens had the early upper hand, but have let it all slip away way, and the resurgence of the Ferrari’s has simply been brilliant. The Red Bulls looked to have gained a big advantage going into the closing stages of the season, but now with both drivers failing to finish in the previous race, everything has turned on its head.

The Track: Interlagos
A miserable weekend weather-wise is expected in Brazil, making the race something of a lottery. This is exactly what the chasing title contenders behind Fernando Alonso will want. There is wet weather expected all weekend, and that will have a huge influence in practice, qualifying and the race itself. Mark Webber won here last year, and should be one of the front runners again. Interlagos is one of the shorter circuits on the Formula One Grand Prix calendar, but is poses some interesting questions of balance in setting up the car. Some teams opt for maximum straight line speed, while others compromises to get optimum lap times. The track also runs counter clockwise, which is not as common, putting stresses on the other side of drivers’ bodies, and with high g-force turns, it really is a physically demanding track. With the track as it is, you have to look towards the Red Bull team being quick enough through the slower portions of the track, plus having enough speed to nab top spots in qualification. Alonso will be in the mix as well, make no mistake about that. As for Hamilton’s chances here, the McLaren may compete down the straight, but can’t stand up to the performance the Red Bull and Ferrari drivers can get through the turns.

1st Practice – things are looking up for a thrilling finish to the season, with the two Red Bull drivers leading the way in practice. Sebastian Vettel was quickest, with team mate Mark Webber running close behind him. Hugely positive news for the British McLaren duo, as Lewis Hamilton was running third quickest, and Jenson Button fourth. Early days, but Alonso could only manage 13th quickest.

F1 betting odds and preview for Korean Grand Prix. Can the Formula One Drivers Championship swing back in the favour of the McLaren drivers at the inaugural Korean Grand Prix this weekend? While Lewis Hamilton and defending champions Jenson Button have fallen back in the pecking order over the past few races, the exciting new challenges in Asian could suit the British drivers. McLaren have been playing catch up to the Red Bull and Ferrari teams, seeing their rivals gain advantages on tracks which really haven’t suited the McLaren team. However, there is enough in this track to suggest that the F1 Drivers Championship could be thrown wide open again. Because of the three long straights, especially in between Turns 2 and 3, the McLarens could press home their straight line advantage. The British drivers have lost momentum in the tight cornering circuits, but the Korea track has a good blend of characteristics which should help Button and in particular, Hamilton, get back into the title race. There should be plenty of overtaking, even though the track is tight, and it should be a thrilling race with time running on the drivers’ seasons.

Korean Grand Prix Betting Odds Outright Winner

Sebastian Vettel: 12/5 at SportingBet
Fernando Alonso: 7/2 at Betfred
Lewis Hamilton: 7/2 at Bet365
Mark Webber: 4/1 at Extrabet
Jenson Button: 12/1 at Bwin

The final track was only inspected a couple of weeks ago, such has the deadline been pushed. But the teams are there and have tested the news waters in the two practice sessions on Thursday. What makes this situation even more exciting, is that the teams have no data to call upon. There is no past history at this track, so teams can’t study performance and tweak their set ups based on history. It is a bit of an unknown, and it is just that which could keep the title dreams of Lewis Hamilton alive. There are just two races after Korean, in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, and already Hamilton is 28 points behind championship leader Mark Webber (Red Bull). Hamilton really needs the maximum 25 points on offer, and for the likes of Webber, Vettel and Fernando Alonso to have bad races.

Korean Grand Prix Pole Position Odds

Sebastian Vettel: 15/8 at Boylesports
Mark Webber: 10/3 at William Hill
Lewis Hamilton: 7/2 at Bet365
Fernando Alonso: 9/2 at Stan James
Jenson Button: 16/1 at SportingBet

After looking in control of the F1 Drivers Championship, Hamilton has seen his chances slip away through crashes. Whoever takes the chequered flag here, really could settle the question of which way the title will go. A win for Webber should give him enough of a cushion, while victory for either McLaren driver would see them claw their way back to within touching distance. Then there is of course, the resurgence of Alonso, who has put in a storming last quarter of the season to put himself in contention as well in his Ferrari. Hopefully from a fan’s point of view, the season will be decided at the last race of the season, but for now, from a F1 betting perspective, we’ll take a look over the chances of the top contenders at Korea.

Mark Webber Red Bull (220 points)
The Australian has benefited from some excellent driving this season, as well as seeing his opponents shoot themselves in the foot. He has the huge plus of team mate Sebastian Vettel being in the hunt as well, and Vettel will likely take points away from the main threats to Webber and his title ambitions. There are areas of the track which will suit the Red Bull more than the other teams, particularly towards the end of the track, where it slows down and becomes twisty. The teams in Korea will have to be working hard on the fly to produce for their drivers. Red Bull have a big advantage in terms of technological advances. This course should put drivers and cars all on an even keel. Wrested back some early control laid down from the McLaren and Ferrari drivers, by setting the fastest time in second practice. Can he take the pressure of leading from the front in the race and the championship?
Race Tip: Top 3 (4/6 at Blue Square)
F1 Championship: Winner because he has a decent cushion which should see him home

Fernando Alonso (206 points)
Alonso’s run of two straight victories was undone in Japan, where he could only manage third on the podium. Fourteen points behind Webber really isn’t as much as it sounds, but Webber has the upper hand at this late stage in the Championship. For this race, this is exactly what makes Alonso a great driver, and why he is a two times World Champion. He has the skill to turn the unknown into a victory. The Ferrari has been looking awesome over the past three races, and well in with a shout of winning this one. If his team mate, Felipe Massa can get in amongst the top fix and break up the Red Bulls and McLaren’s for example, it could help Alonso even more.
Race Tip: Top 6
F1 Championship: Strong, but realistically has to beat two Red Bulls, which isn’t going to be easy.

Sebastian Vettel Red Bull (206 points)
Has had a pretty consistent season, and is a brave driver. He really could push things on here, and going into the race on the back a great win in Japan, the German should be fully confident. Over the final three races of the season, you just have to believe in the overall performances that Red Bull have put in over the season, to get them to the line. There should be a little more at the Korea circuit for the Red Bull than the Ferrari, and Vettel makes a great tip for your F1 betting, both in taking the race here, and in sneaking the F1 Drivers Championship away from his team-mate. In good form, brave and aggressive when needs to be. Has the tools to go all of the way.
Race Tip: Top 3 (4/7 at Bet365)
F1 Driver’s Championship Tip: Very close runner with Webber

Lewis Hamilton McLaren (192 points)
This is his best chance to get back in real contention for the F1 Drivers Championship. This race really should suit Hamilton, and the signs from testing were good, in that the drivers was extremely happy with the car. Will be running a bit blind with modifications, but nonetheless, there is not a braver driver out of the guys in the running to lift the title. If he avoids contact, he can really take advantage of this track, as his little extra bit of aggression should be repaid by the track. Hamilton has been saying all the right things in the build up to the race, that he is confident, happy and excited by the challenge in front of him. However, if he doesn’t finish ahead of Webber on Sunday, then it really will be over for him this year. Treads a thin line between bravery and recklessness, and that is a big positive when it pays off. Fastest in first practice, and that’s a very good sign for the British driver.
Race Tip: Top 3 (8/11 at Paddy Power)
F1 Drivers Championship Tip: Outside of top 3

Jenson Button McLaren (189 points)
Button’s just a few points back of team mate Hamilton, but you really have to fancy Hamilton to make an impact at the top of leader board. When Button is going well he is very steady, consistent and drives a good line. It’s what won him the championship last year, and has gotten him close again this year. If the other drivers mess up on the new track, then Button will likely last the distance as he’s a little more on the stable side than Hamilton, then he could threaten the podium, that’s because he should get more out of the car in the Korean Grand Prix than in the previous few races.
Race Tip: Top 6
F1 Drivers Championship Tip: Top 5

Would look towards the McLaren’s putting up a genuine challenge here in Korea. One problem with the track, is that it is a new surface and it is going to take a while to put down grip. Once the rubber from the tires goes down, then it should be game on a little bit more. McLaren’s should take advantage of the late breaking at the end of straights, and the straight line speed, and the middle portion of the track offer enough to keep up the pace. They end of the track will be their biggest problem, and where the Red Bull and Ferrari teams may be able to claw things back. Lewis Hamilton really has to put everything on the line now, and go for it. That alone makes him well worth taking in the F1 betting for the Korean Grand Prix. His technique may well mean that he crashes out, but if he’s on the track, he should be near the front. Otherwise, then you have to back the Red Bull cars in situations like this. The pressure is all on Webber and that should hand just a little bit of an advantage to his team mate Vettel, and he would be the top tip for the race winner.

Formula One Drivers Championship Betting Outright Odds

Mark Webber: 6/5 at Totesport
Sebastian Vettel: 5/2 at BetFred
Fernando Alonso: 3/1 at William Hill
Lewis Hamilton: 22/1 at Extrabet
Jenson Button: 66/1 at Extrabet

Red Bull driver Mark Webber heads to the Japanese Grand Prix, with the feeling that he has shaken off one of his main challengers in Lewis Hamilton, but adopted another in the surging Fernando Alonso. Spaniard and two times Champion Fernando Alonso has now won the last two races with wins in Italy and Singapore is on a big charge now after Ferrari have stepped up their game to get an edge over the Red Bulls and the McLaren pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. The Japanese Grand Prix is the fourth race from the end of the season and the title chase this year is wide open. There is another exciting finish to the season ahead, a far cry from the boring days of Michael Schumacher dominating everything. There has been no real ascendancy from any team, nor any driver this year. The McLarens got off to a good, battling start, while the Red Bulls were the cars which had all of the speed and technology which brought them Pole Position after Pole Position, and the Ferrari’s were expected to be the outright strongest, but failed to deliver. Now, however, the Ferrari’s have made clear advances and upgrades, and Alonso now sits just 11 points behind F1 Drivers World Championship leader Mark Webber.

Japanese Grand Prix Winner Betting Odds

Sebastian Vettel: 2/1 at Bwin
Fernando Alonso: 10/3 at Blue Square
Mark Webber: 4/1 at Victor Chandler
Lewis Hamilton: 6/1 at SportingBet
Jenson Button: 16/1 at SportingBet
Felipe Massa: 25/1 at SportingBet

Webber hasn’t won for three races, and came in third in Singapore, so the pressure is on him, especially with Alonso now breathing down his neck. For your Formula One betting, you have to go with momentum, and Fernando Alonso will make for the best bet here, especially with a flawless drive to cross the finish line first in Singapore. What perhaps is most ominous for Webber and any other challenger for the title, is that Alonso’s Ferrari has won on two different types of circuit in the last two outings, putting the ball firmly in their court. It could go down to the wire now, as there is no room for error from anyone. Webber needs to keep getting himself on the podium if he is realistically going to win from out front. The thing which will be in his favour is that the remaining races are at circuits where the Red Bulls shouldn’t have any problem in getting their power down. They have had a clear advantage over everyone in cornering speed this year, but Ferrari suddenly have turned the tables. It is not exactly a straight shoot out between Alonso and Webber, but those two really are starting from the front of the grid for the title race. When you start looking a little deeper at the points and stats for the Fomula One season, there is still a chance for the other drivers behind those two, although the chasing pack really need those two to make mistakes to boost their chances.

Japan Pole Position Outright Odds

Sebastian Vettel: 6/4 at Paddy Power
Mark Webber: 3/1 at SportingBet
Fernando Alonso: 4/1 at ExtraBet
Lewis Hamilton: 8/1 at ExtraBet
Jenson Button: 20/1 at SportingBet
Felipe Massa: 20/1 at Bet365

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton has seen his chances slip away, after he has crashed out of the last two races, pretty much handing the lead over to Webber. Hamilton is naturally aggressive and this has cost him dearly and has fallen behind. The thing is, there are plenty of points still up for grabs, and another win for Hamilton to get himself back on track would really open things up. However, the McLarens have been promising that their upgrades would get them closer to Ferrari and Red Bull, but they just don’t seem to materialise and they are entering a tough part of the season for them, where they will struggle to find enough speed to be competitive. It really needs some stunning driving from Hamilton and Button if either of them are going to challenge. The points system in Formula One, as it is, maybe paints a bleaker picture than the real situation though. Because even though Hamilton is 20 points behind leader Webber now, the twenty five points up for grabs for finishing first, could change things (plus assuming that Webber finishes outside of the podium). So there is hope for Hamilton, and Button, who is 25 points off the lead, but it is fading fast. Unless a McLaren finishes first in Japan, they could be left with just too much to do at the end of the season. Button in particularly confident, although he would need to pull out his first ever career win Japan to get him firmly back in the hunt. Similarly, Hamilton has insisted that he is not going to pull back, he is not going to change his style because of the two setbacks which has seen him lost the lead which he had worked so hard against the odds to gain.

Formula One Drivers Championship Betting Odds

Mark Webber: 2/1 at Boylesports (202 pts)
Fernando Alonso: 9/4 at BetFred (191 pts)
Sebastian Vettel: 19/5 at SportingBet (181 pts)
Lewis Hamilton: 9/1 at ExtraBet (182 pts)
Jenson Button: 22/1 at Bet365 (177 pts)

The Formula One season is coming down to four races. The Japan circuit is very demanding, and Lewis Hamilton will have a lot to feel good about, as he drove incredibly well there last year to grab a third place in a car which really stood no chance. He finished in front of Button then. Precision is utmost for the Japan drive, especially because time can be lost through the corners if you get it wrong, and there is not much room for error. That is why Hamilton has done well there, because he can really push the limits of what needs to be done. The Suzuka circuit is regarded as being one of the best on the tour, simply because it is a very fast track and corners can be taken at high speed when you get the right line. Neither Hamilton and Alonso have won here, while Webber’s team mate Sebastian Vettel raced home first last year, making you lean towards the Red Bull’s again being strong in the betting. It is hard to see the McLaren’s getting back into the title race, and the Red Bull drivers should be able to really press for Pole Position and the race itself. They will go very well on this track and therefore make the most sensible direction for betting.

Has Lewis Hamilton blown his chances of winning the Formula One Drivers Championship? After crashing out of the Italian Grand Prix on the very first lap, Britain’s former Champion has now been knocked off top spot in the race for the coveted driver’s title. The Formula One circus is in Singapore now, with just five races left in the season, and things are getting a little bit tight at the top of the Championship. Really, Hamilton just needs to hold himself together, and being one of the more aggressive drivers on the circuit, has to ensure that he at least gets across the finish line in these last races. It is to his, and team mate Jenson Button’s credit that they are where they are, because all season they seem to have been fighting to catch up to the Red Bulls, and now Ferrari as well seem to be getting their act together and are causing the British McLaren duo a few headaches. The big factor in everything now, is that the teams will be pinching points off each other, and while that makes for some tough Formula One betting calls, there are just enough pointers to see who should come out on top. Hamilton has now earmarked Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso as the main threat for the title, even though the Spaniard is in third, while Red Bull’s Mark Webber leads the title chase.

Current Standings and Outright Drivers Championship Odds
1- Mark Webber, Red Bull, 187pts (15/8 at Stan James)
2- Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 182pts (16/5 at Bwin)
3- Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 166pts (9/2 at Totesport)
4- Jenson Button, McLaren, 165pts (17/1 at SportingBet)
5- Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 163pts (4/1 at SkyBet)

Even though Alonso is 21 points back of second placed Hamilton, he will arguably be carrying the form after winning at Monza a fortnight ago, and there will be less pressure on him than the two guys in front of him. Alonso has done really well to claw his way back into the title race after languishing unexpectedly down the field over most of the first half of the season. This is just another sign that Ferrari are really ramping up their game when it matters, the fact that top five are all separated by one victory points haul, should mean that we are in for a classic run into the title. After winning in Italy, Alonso will be worth backing again, as form and consistency do play a huge factor in Formula One betting, and he will be starting as favourite at the bookmakers so it will be well taking a good punt on him. He is really rising into the ascendancy at the moment, outscoring his main rivals over the previous four races.

Now having a competitive package for the remaining five circuits is all important, as getting up onto the podium in these last five encounters should put any driver close. McLaren have probably been the most consistent team over the season, even though they have ceded ground in speed to the Red Bulls and now the Ferrari’s. Both Button (who finished second at Monza) and Hamilton really have battled well, and thanks to a good, reliable car, remain in contention for the title. The early season was all about catching up with the speed of the Red Bulls, but now there clearly is a shift in power with the Ferrari coming to the fore, and Alonso won’t have the added distraction of racing his own team-mate, Felipe Massa who is down in sixth in the championship, where Button and Hamilton really have a lot to go at each other with, as well as the two Red Bull drivers. It really is anyone’s game heading to the Singapore Grand Prix, so will Ferrari continue to push, or will there be a big riposte from Red Bull or McLaren?

Singapore Pole Position Odds
Sebastian Vettel: 7/4 at 888Sport
Mark Webber: 3/1 at Victor Chandler
Fernando Alonso: 5/1 at SkyBet
Lewis Hamilton: 13/2 at Bet365
Jenson Button: 20/1 at ExtraBet

McLaren could have found the answer, as they have been concentrating vehemently over the last fortnight in upgrades which should see them get more speed. Apparently these are significant improvement, and at Singapore, they will need all the help they can get, because it is just the type of track which has really been the undoing of their season. McLaren are now insisting that they will be up to speed, and that gaps between themselves and the Ferrari have been closed. The Red Bulls will be major players at Singapore, because it is a high down force track, an area in which they have shown so much excellence all season, and one which Ferrari has really caught up on. Any changes which have been made by the McLarens really will have to work if they want to keep Hamilton and Button in the race, as they have struggled at these types of tracks this season, notably in Hungary. The trouble now for McLaren, is that during the run in to the end of the season, the tracks that awaiting them, the Red Bulls and the Ferrari’s will be keen to strut their stuff on, and to be honest, it will be the crucial factor in betting on the outright winner of the Formula One Drivers championship this year. The tracks are not suited to McLaren so much, not unless the new configurations change things dramatically.

This is why Singapore really represents one of the most exciting points of the season. There is so much up for grabs now and now margin for error. With Alonso finding his feet, and the Red Bulls coming back into play because of the type of tracks ahead, winning the championship for Hamilton or Button may take a momentous uphill swing. Looking at the top of the leader boards, they really seem to be the ones losing momentum. Will there be changes for the better for McLaren on the streets of Singapore? Overtaking will be difficult and so qualification once more is more crucial than ever, and looking for a betting tip, then there really is only one man who has a certain affinity with Singapore, and that is Alonso. A third consecutive top three finish for him would really blow things open

Singapore Grand Prix Outright Odds
Sebastian Vettel: 5/2 at Bwin
Mark Webber: 7/2 at Blue Square
Fernando Alonso: 9/2 at Boylesports
Lewis Hamilton: 4/1 at Totesport
Jenson Button: 12/1 at Bet365
Felipe Massa: 25/1 at SportingBet

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso is strong in Formula One betting for the Italian Grand Prix, as he will go from Pole Position in Sunday’s Italian Grand prix, after just edging out McLaren’s Jenson Button. There was disappointing news for World Championship leader Lewis Hamilton though, as he admitted that a mistake in the decision of how to set up his car put him at a disadvantage. Hamilton, who leads the drivers championship by just three points, can ill afford errors this late in the season with just five Grands Prix to go. What may just give Hamilton some hope of turning things around, is the fact that his closest challenger for the top honours this season, Red Bull’s Mark Webber, is only one place ahead of him on the grid. Alonso though will look to thrill Italian racing fans at the home of Ferrari, after being pushed out of serious contention for the drivers title. Alonso went into the season as firm favourite to win the drivers’ championship after Ferrari showed signs of being unbeatable during winter testing. The season hasn’t panned out like that though for the Italian team, largely because of the reliability and endurance of the two McLarens. Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton have battled so very well against the odds this season, as they have been at a disadvantage with speeds, especially through cornering, that, combined with the speed of the Red Bulls thanks to their advanced technologies, really has produced an open season.

Drivers’ Championship Standings
Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 182
Mark Webber (Red Bull) 179
Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 151
Jenson Button (McLaren) 147
Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 141

Alonso has won just once before at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, back in 2007, and this could be one of the brightest highlight of his season if he can take advantage of his start from the front of the grid. For your Formula One betting, Ferrari do have an incredibly strong record at Monza, winning 18 times there, with McLaren in second place in the history books, winning nine times there. As for Jenson Button, he has fallen back in the race for the title, and now sits 35 points behind Hamilton. The strongest bet at the 2010 Italian Grand Prix, really is to get behind Fernando Alonso (who is 41 points behind Hamilton in the drivers’  championship) as he goes from first. It was actually a bit of surprise that he hung on as Button looked primed to sneak it from him. That means Button is also worth a punt here, as he got the set up of his car just right, and scored quite a big advantage over the rest of the field in his qualification. But the best battle should be between Webber and Hamilton (from fourth and fifth respectively), who have the most to gun for at Monza. There is a lot of work to do between them to get to the front, but the big advantage could be in the hands of Lewis Hamilton, as he has a team mate in front of him. Button really could be the key in all of this. Will he slow down the Red Bull of Webber behind him to let Hamilton in with a chance? Of course, team orders are not permitted, but inadvertently, they could come into play, especially if he gets a blinder off the start and gets his nose in front of Alonso.

Italian Grand Prix Outright Odds
Fernando Alonso: 4/5 at William Hill
Jenson Button: 7/2 at Totesport
Lewis Hamilton: 15/2 at Stan James
Felipe Massa: 14/1 at SportingBet
Mark Webber: 22/1 at ExtraBet
Sebastian Vettel: 20/1 at Bet365

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Drivers Championship Outright Odds
Mark Webber: 15/8 at Stan James
Lewis Hamilton: 19/10 at SportingBet
Sebastian Vettel: 11/2 at ExtraBet
Fernando Alonso: 6/1 at Bet365
Jenson Button: 20/1 at SkyBet

Italian Grand Prix Starting Grid: Alonso, Button, Massa, Webber, Hamilton

McLaren playing catch up in performance

The Formula One soap opera continues this weekend, in the wake of yet another controversy surrounding the Ferrari team. This time there has been uproar concerning team orders, which are banned from Formula One, a move which was supposed to stop teams favouring one driver out on the track, such as using the second driver for blocking tactics. It all came to a head when race leader in last weekend’s Germany Grand Prix when Felipe Massa appeared to slow down under coded team orders to let Ferrari team mate Fernando Alonso through. This was to the advantage of keeping Alonso in the hunt for the Driver’s Championship, whereas Massa is out of the running. Alonso headed a Ferrari one-two on the podium after the controversial event had reared its head. But Ferrari are insisting that they have done nothing wrong, and Massa has come out insist that he is not a number two driver. Ferrari have been fined, but there could be further recriminations as the case goes in front of the FIA, the governing body of Formula One.

Hungary Grand Prix Winner Odds

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari): 2/1 at Extrabet
Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull): 5/2 at BetFred
Mark Webber (Red Bull): 11/2 at SportingBet
Lewis Hamilton (McLaren): 8/1 at Bwin
Felipe Massa (Ferrari): 10/1 at SportingBet
Jenson Button (McLaren: 18/1 at Bet365

The division over who is number one and who is number two drivers for the Formula One teams this season has been going full flight. The Red Bull team of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel had to deal with a costly coming together of the pair when they were racing, and both drivers were not ready to back down and concede that either one was a second driver. Similarly there has been hints of a rivalry brewing between McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton but for different reason. The two British drivers are leading the World Championship race at the moment, and it has been suggested that there will be friction between them. They have been doing their best to play down any such issues, insisting that there is a good competitive team spirit, and they are not under any orders with regards to racing, and that each driver gets equal amount of attention from the team. Both Hamilton and Button have two victories to their name this season, and have been pushing each other during races but with no coming together as of yet.

With just eight races left in the season, things are starting to come to a head and perhaps pressure is mounting leading to desperate times. After finishing fourth and fifth, the two McLarens simply could not match the Ferrari’s and Red Bulls for overall pace, and they couldn’t make an impact on the podium spots. There are worries that the same scenario could be in force again this weekend, with the Hungary track favouring the Red Bulls and the Ferrari team, which have suddenly looked as if they have found extra grip and speed from somewhere. The Ferrari’s have had a disappointing season, after coming into the new year with a car which was hotly tipped to blow everything else out of the water. That hasn’t happened, and still double World Champion Fernando Alonso is 34 points back of championship leader Lewis Hamilton. Conversely, the two McLarens look to have lost some of their performance of late, which could have a huge impact on the season if they do not close the gap on the front runners quickly.

2010 Drivers Championship Standings
Lewis Hamilton – 157pts
Jenson Button – 143pts
Mark Webber – 136pts
Sebastian Vettel – 136pts
Fernando Alonso – 123pts
Nico Rosberg – 94pts

For McLaren, the problems have been trying to get their blown-diffuser going, something which would add extra grip and speed through corners. The Red Bull’s have put this new piece of technology to work, and is cited as being the reason for the success they have been having. While Red Bull keeps stealing the lions share of Pole Positions, it is the endurance and reliability of the two McLarens which have won out in the long run, backed up by some fantastic drives by Hamilton and defending champion Button. The fact that Red Bull and Ferrari are running this technology, now puts McLaren behind somewhat, and the pace that was displayed in Germany by their rivals, certainly pointed to problems for the two British drivers. As well as driver skill, Formula One racing is still dependent on who can develop their cars the best in all aspects of performance, to get every last drop of efficiency out of the machines. The McLarens had the upper hand in the early part of the season, but now the momentum looks to be shifting. The sooner that McLaren close the gap, the safer Hamilton and Button will feel out in the front of the pack.

Hungary Grand Prix Pole Position Odds
Sebastian Vettel: 15/8 at Stan James
Fernando Alonso: 9/4 at ExtraBet
Mark Webber: 9/2 at Boylesports
Felipe Massa: 11/1 at Paddy Power
Lewis Hamilton: 11/1 at Stan James
Jenson Button: 28/1 at Boylesports

While the F1 season has again been a thoroughly entertaining and exciting one, one cannot help but wonders what waits around the next corner? A McLaren collision with each other maybe? More team orders that aren’t team orders shenanigans? A Red Bull driver bust up? Who knows, but McLaren need to close the gap on their rivals quickly, and while Hungary may not be the ideal place for that to happen, they at least cannot afford to fall further behind. One advantage that McLaren may gain by the Ferrari’s getting better, is that it could start taking points away from the Red Bull drivers, and as long as Button and Hamilton (a 2007 and 2009 winner in Hungary) keep challenging for podium finishes in the remaining eight drives, then we could be crowning another British Formula One Drivers Champion at the end of the year.

The Hungaroring is actually not one of the faster tracks, but with tight cornering and very little room for overtaking, it could work to the advantage of the Red Bulls and Ferrari who have more down force through the turns. Qualifying will be all important, because once you get in front you can stay there, even if you are not the fastest car, that is how tight the twisty street like circuit is. Hamilton may well be pretty confident, even if he hasn’t got the fastest car. It’s about getting your nose in front through bravery, and that is just they type of situation in which Hamilton excels. Basically if the Red Bulls get out in front, which is very likely though when you look at their strong qualification record this year, they will be very hard to get past, and that will made Webber and Vettel very strong bets at Hungary.

2010 Formula One Drivers Championship Odds
Sebastian Vettel: 5/2 at Ladbrokes
Lewis Hamilton: 5/2 at SportingBet
Fernando Alonso: 7/2 at ExtraBet
Mark Webber: 8/1 at SportingBet
Jenson Button: 14/1 at Stan James