Lewis Hamilton is 6/1 to win the Formula One 2013 Drivers’ Championship under Mercedes according to Ladbrokes.
After finally announcing he’s switching to Mercedes the bookies quote Hamilton with an early price of 6/1 to win next year’s Drivers’ Championship in his debut season, and his McLaren replacement Sergio Perez is given odds of 12/1 to take the title.
However there’s no guarantees for Ross Brawn’s team despite signing Hamilton as the firm favour their new star driver to pick up just two (5/2) race wins in 2013, one less than his current tally with six races left. And although Hamilton’s new contract has cost Mercedes a cool $100 million there’s a 25/1 chance that it doesn’t work out and he returns to McLaren in 2014.
Sergio Perez’s move to McLaren will see him race in Jenson Button’s shadow, but it’s just 2/1 that the Mexican adds 25 points to his championship total at least once next year and 3/1 he does it twice.
Michael Schumacher’s future is in doubt and it’s long odds-on at 1/8 that his career in Formula 1 is halted next year or 5/1 that another team gives the seven-time world champion a lifeline.
Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes told betrescue.com: “Hamilton might be the hottest ticket in town but there’s no guarantees for Mercedes next season as far as the odds are concerned. Perez’s youth mixed with Button’s experience looks set to be a recipe for success.”
