F1 BETTING: Live on BBC1: Sun 12.45: This week’s F1 at the Hungary GP will see Ferrari and Red Bull ready to tear into McClaren’s current lead on both Championship fronts.
On the back of his German victory, Fernando Alonso goes into the Hungarian GP as 2/1 race fav with Ladbrokes, a win which would surely boost his credentials as Drivers Champion, currently at 10/3 (Skybet).
The Hungarian GP is arguably about qualifying. 5 of the past 9 years have seen the pole position driver go on to win the race as the tight corners of Hungaroring are not conducive to overtaking. Red Bull are pole-masters, racking up 10 poles in just 11 races and there’s seems to be no reason why Red Bull can’t sit on pole again; Vettel is 15/8 with Stan James and Webber is 9/2 (Sportingbet).
Ferrari have their obvious issues and a media frenzy will follow them everywhere this weekend. Alonso does not tend to lose his cool and will be hoping the improved Ferrari can take him to the front row at least (8/11 Skybet), if he is to justify his race favouratism. His team-mate Felipe Massa will perhaps not fair as well mentally, he crashed here last year (ending his season) and in 2008, his engine failed with only 3 laps to go. With the current controversy, he might suffer at the Hungaroring.
The McClaren boys will find the going tough as the course somewhat replicates Monaco, where the cars required a lot of downforce. Hamilton is 7/1 with Blue Square to take victory here and Button a rather large 16/1 with Boylesports. The McClaren has faired well on more open courses and the dust problem at Hungary will certainly not contribute to any surprise assault on the podium.
McClarens dominance at the top of both the Drivers and Constructors Champs will be tested severely this weekend, both Red Bull and Ferrari will be taking points away from them. Interestingly, 888sport offer 5/4 on both Ferrari and Red Bull to be the winning constructor and it’s frankly hard to see past those 2 teams, presenting a perfect all-cover bet. As for the actual race winner, Vettel can grab a 4th straight pole and another win for Red Bull and himself, propelling him up into the top 3 in the points. It will be Vettel v Alonso this weekend.
Finally, one driver that could feel at home is Robert Kubica. The Renault driver, Polish, is at the nearest thing to a home track. He performed well in Monaco in both the qualifying and the race and has every chance with the downforce savvy Renault car. The 8/1 with Betfred about him to finish on the podium is perhaps a bridge to far but might be worth small stakes, but the 8/11 at Paddy Power for a top 6 finish looks great.
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