German Grand Prix 2019 Preview – Sunday, July 28th
Last time out, Lewis Hamilton found himself back at the top of the podium. He got a record-breaking sixth win at the British Grand Prix. That Silverstone success saw him shake off the struggles that the Mercedes team had had in the previous race in Austria. Will Hamilton be able to further extend his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship with a victory in Germany?
German Grand Prix 2019 Winner Odds*
Lewis Hamilton 8/13
Valtteri Bottas 5/2
Charles Leclerc 9/1
Max Verstappen 10/1
Sebastian Vettel 10/1
150/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on July 22nd, 2019 at 11:23 am)
Hamilton back in the zone
No two ways about it, Mercedes struggled in Austria. But they bounced back with great aplomb at the British Grand Prix. Hamilton claimed maximum points with a superlative drive. He finished 24 seconds and change ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas. That leaves Hamilton with a massive 34 point lead at the head of the Drivers’ Championship over Bottas. The win at Silverstone gave Hamilton his seventh win this season from ten races.
Hamilton has form at Hockenheim as well. That’s bad news for the rest of the field this weekend. He has won the last two races there. That is four German Grand Prix titles that he has won during his career at the German Grand Prix, three of them at Hockenheim, the other at Nurburgring. Hamilton is 8/13 odds to make it back to back wins at the race* (betting odds taken from bet365 on July 22nd, 2019 at 11:23 am).
Max Verstappen coming good?
The Red Bulls have started to look better this season and therefore it could be another chance for Max Verstappen to shine. He was the winner at the Austrian Grand Prix recently and sits third in the Drivers Championship. Verstappen was fourth at last year’s German Grand Prix, seven seconds behind leader Hamilton after having gone from fourth on the grid.
Reports from team boss Christian Horner says that the car has come on so good in terms of speed that the electronics in the engine can’t even keep up. Verstappen looked quick at Silverstone twelve months ago, but got tied up in the race and was held back. The Red Bull Driver is at 5/6 to get on the podium* (betting odds taken from bet365 on July 22nd, 2019 at 11:23 am).
Bottas fails in battle with Hamilton
Valtteri Bottas led the Mercedes 1-2 from the front of the Silverstone grid. He had held off the challenge of Hamilton early on, but then a safety car intervention allowed Hamilton to get the upper hand over Bottas and the Finn could never get back in front. But at least he looked competitive and he has been to the podium in each of the last three Grands Prix, two second-place finishes and a third. Bottas is 9/4 second-favourite to be the fastest qualifier this weekend* (betting odds taken from bet365 on July 22nd, 2019 at 11:23 am).
Can LeClerc win his first Grand Prix in Germany
Ferrari’s Charles LeClerc was embroiled in a tremendous battle for third place with Max Verstappen at the British Grand Prix. It was a duel that went on for ages. It was the real highlight of the race. LeClerc drove brilliantly to defend his position on the track time and time again against the Dutchman.
It was astonishing to watch really. It showed amazing maturity from LeClerc who has been knocking on the door of his maiden career Grand Prix this season. He is at 3/1 to make it happen this weekend for the win. His Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel, who crashed out at Silverstone at 7/1* (betting odds was taken from bet365 on July 22nd, 2019 at 11:23 am).
Predictions
Hamilton is back on comfortable stomping ground and makes the obvious choice to be the one to go out and get a win under his belt. If there are no car troubles, he is likely to be the one to catch. Really of the chasing pack, it is LeClerc and Verstappen who look the most probable ones to cause an upset and take the win. Verstappen to get up into the top three looks like a fine proposition to take on.
