Belgian Grand Prix Preview – Sunday, September 1st, 2019
The F1 season resumes and Belgium could be just the kicker that Ferrari needs. It has been a winless season for them and while any hopes of one of their drivers claiming the World Championship faded a long time ago, there is a chance that they will have a very good weekend at Spa.
Belgian Grand Prix Winner Odds*
Lewis Hamilton 15/8
Charles Leclerc 2/1
Sebastian Vettel 2/1
Max Verstappen 10/1
Valtteri Bottas 11/1
Bar 150/1
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on August 30th, 2019 at 4:37 pm)
Will Leclerc make winning F1 breakthrough?
This could be the one for Ferrari’s Charles LeClerc, the race where he wins his first Grand Prix. He has knocked on the door a couple of times this season, and the Ferrari’s are expected to have a considerable advantage this weekend at Spa
So LeClerc is a good 2/1 odds option for the win* (betting odds taken from bet365 on August 30th, 2019 at 4:37 pm). LeClerc was the fastest in Friday practice, ahead of his teammate, so with the long straight drag that the track has, here is where Ferrari should get stuck into Mercedes a bit.
Will Vettel defend his Belgian title?
Sebastian Vettel is the reigning champion at the Belgian Grand Prix after winning the race for the third time in his career twelve months ago. He coasted to the win in the end, finished eleven seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton. It has been another frustrating season for the German though, with him struggling not only to keep up with Hamilton but his own teammate LeClerc as well. But after the break, he could come back refreshed and shoot for something here.
Before the summer break, Vettel took back to back podium finishes at the German Grand Prix and then at Silverstone. With a pretty good day on Friday in practice, and not getting the cleanest of laps in, it looks as if he can squeeze more than enough out of his Ferrari to get himself back up on the podium again.
Will Red Bulls challenge?
Red Bull have made a team change with Alex Albon moving up to replace Pierre Gassly who hasn’t lived up to expectations. Albon was 10th in Friday practice but the main team focus will be on Max Verstappen of course, who has won two races this season.
Verstappen has produced some astonishing drives this season and he was the third-place finisher in the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix.
With the Mercedes team not likely to be as dominant as they usually are because of the track, then it could give a boost to Verstappen to push for a podium finish. Verstappen is at 11/8 to get into the top three on the weekend* (betting odds taken from bet365 on August 30th, 2019 at 4:37 pm).
Will Mercedes have the speed to challenge Ferrari?
Mercedes were quick through the twisting section of Spa on Friday, but they were nowhere near as quick as the Ferrari on the straights and that is where the Belgian Grand Prix is going to be won and lost. While you can always bank on Lewis Hamilton to battle and scrap his way through adversity, it looks as if he probably isn’t going to get a win this weekend.
He remains on course for another Driver’s Championship title though with him having won eight of the twelve races this season. But the next two races, this one in Belgium and then in Italy are going to be favouring the Ferrari team more than Mercedes. So there could be a bit of pressure creeping on him on. Hamilton was second in Belgium last season, and like Vettel has won the race three times before, most recently in 2017.
Belgium Grand Prix 2019 Predictions
We have to roll with the Ferrari’s in this one. There were some dramatic twists and turns with some thrilling races just before the summer break and hopefully that does continue to happen. But it looks as if the only way that Ferrari are not going to win this is through car unreliability or driver error.
We can just see Vettel getting out in front and being very, very difficult to catch. Vettel at 2/1 outright is the pick* (betting odds taken from bet365 on August 30th, 2019 at 4:37 pm).
