Hamilton the Market Mover After Oz Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has been backed into 12.00 (Unibet) to win this season’s Formula 1 Drivers Championship after a magnificent third in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.

The young British rookie was as big as 26.00 to win the title before the race started but a podium finish sent bookmakers scrambling for cover.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen has also shortened in the market to a best price 2.15 (Portland Bet) after winning in Australia. He led from start to finish and many punters will consider him a sound investment to win his first F1 title this year.

Reigning champion Fernando Alonso was second in the race and is also second-favourite at 3.40 (Stan James) for the Drivers Championship. However, some customers will be happier to back the 2.80 (Paddy Power) about a McLaren winning the Constructors Championship after a second and third placed finish in Melbourne.

Ferrari and McLaren look way ahead of the other constructors this season, and it’s little wonder that bookies therefore make the Drivers Championship a four-horse race. Felipe Massa could only manage sixth place in the second Ferrari car, but the bookies have kept him at a reasonably short price – 4.50 (betinternet) is about the best you’ll get if you fancy the Brazilian to triumph this year.