F1 – Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
5th December 1500hrs
F1 – Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
Pick Red Bull Double Podium
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 5/2 odds taken 18:01 GMT December 1st, 2021
The penultimate race of the F1 season, and a dramatic season will be underway on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
The title race is still alive with Lewis Hamilton looking to reel in Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the street track in Jeddah.
There’s a chance for Verstappen to win his maiden Drivers’ Championship on Sunday, while Hamilton will be looking to narrow the gap to leave everything hanging on the final race of the season.
Table of Contents
F1 Preview – Can Verstappen clinch it?
Max Verstappen is the current 5/2 second-favourite in F1 betting to win the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix on the weekend* (odds recorded 18:01 GMT December 1st 2021).
The Red Bull driver is leading the championship and has a chance to claim the title in Jeddah on Sunday.
For that to happen, Verstappen will need a top-two finish on Sunday with his title rival Lewis Hamilton down the order (at least fifth), depending on where Verstappen finishes.
In a straight duel between the two drivers, looking beyond potential crashes or car problems, it’s hard to see anything other than a top-two finish in either order from these two.
But while Verstappen has the points advantage in the title race, he has lost a little monument to Hamilton.
Verstappen has won nine races this season and has only been in the top two in all but two of his completed races.
But the last two races, in Brazil and Qatar, he has had to play second fiddle to Hamilton on the podium.
While Verstappen is known for driving on the edge, a little caution to ensure that he gets into the top two on the weekend will nudge him closer to the title.
There is also the extra point for the fastest lap which could be a factor in such a tight finish to the end of the season.
Verstappen has one in the last eleven races, while Hamilton has taken it twice.
Verstappen is a quote of 15/8 to get Sunday’s fastest lap* (odds recorded 18:01 GMT December 1st 2021).
Will Hamilton keep his momentum going?
It has been back to back wins for Lewis Hamilton in Brazil and Qatar at the times he needed them most.
Suddenly the Mercedes looks to have the edge in terms of speed over the Red Bull.
That, combined with brilliant drives from Hamilton, who is obviously not giving this up with a fight, has kept the title challenge alive.
There is a chance that Hamilton could be level on points with Verstappen heading to the final race of the season.
Given that the momentum is with Mercedes at the moment, Lewis Hamilton is at 4/9 to get the win* (odds recorded 18:01 GMT December 1st 2021).
It’s a big straight-line speed advantage that Mercedes has come up with over Red Bull.
But set up is key on the streets of Jeddah as some of that advantage will be lost in the corners.
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Lewis Hamilton is looking for a record eight Drivers’ Championship title in F1, which would nudge him past former great Michael Schumacher.
There is a dramatic conclusion coming up to the 2021 F1 season, whatever happens on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton is a quote of 11/8 to get the fastest lap on the board* (odds recorded 18:01 GMT December 1st 2021).
If Hamilton rolls in second to Verstappen on the weekend, his gap to the Red Bull driver is going to be 14, 15 or 16 points.
That leaves the title challenge out of his hands in Abu Dhabi the following weekend.
Hamilton has to go for it.
F1 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Betting Advice
The situation of pressure on the top two drivers is fascinating. Hamilton has to be the aggressor to get the win.
Second place at the end of the day to Verstappen is not really going to be enough in the title race.
Hamilton does have the faster car at the moment and an extra edge in power could get him there.
The win for Hamilton looks the option by Under 5 seconds at 5/2 for F1 betting* (odds recorded 18:01 GMT December 1st 2021).
Key Facts – F1 – Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
- This is the inaugural Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
- Verstappen leads Hamilton by 8 points
- Hamilton needs to win to realistically keep title hopes alive
Verstappen will know that a win will all but wrap up the title. He’s not one to hold back as we have seen this season.
Qualification is going to be key, and Hamilton may just have the edge over Verstappen there.
But the other F1 betting pick is for a Red Bull Double Podium at 5/2* (odds recorded 18:01 GMT December 1st 2021).
That’s because Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez won on the streets of Azerbaijan earlier this season.
He looks more of a threat than the out-going Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas.
Naturally given the circumstances, team instructions are going to be in play and neither of these would be allowed to win at the expense of their respective teammates.
The best betting odds for Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton to win: 4/9 at Bet365
Max Verstappen to win: 5/2 at Bet365
