Following a two-week break, the Formula1 returns to our screens with just 7 rounds to go and only 2 points separating first and second, expected the unexpected in Turkey, although last time here in 2020, Mercedes and Hamilton won, they are considering taking a penalty this time around.
Sunday, October 10, 2021 – 8:00 EDT AM at Istanbul Park
Finally, after years of Mercedes domination, we have an F1 title race on our hands and somebody other than Mercedes might actually claim the top spot come to the end of the season. Red Bull and Max Verstappen hold a slim 2 point lead over Hamilton and Mercedes coming into Turkey, although the sportsbooks seem to think Red Bull has the edge given the fact before practice has even happened, we see Verstappen at BMR’s odds of -120 to pick up the race win.
It seems Mercedes might support this theory given the fact there are reports of Hamilton willing to take an engine penalty ahead of this race, which means Mercedes is most likely succumbing to the fact that they will be second best here and they would rather take the penalty during a race they are not expected to win as opposed to a race where they feel they have a chance. Essentially Mercedes want to take the penalty now to hopefully admit reliability in the final few races.
Verstappen took his grid penalty in the previous race, starting in P20 and finishing up in 2nd place, not a bad day at the office from the last position. This is the main reason why Verstappen is the heavily fancied favorite this weekend considering he has a newer engine than Hamilton.
Although it’s an “external” matter, Red Bull and sister team Alpha Tauri will have a special once-off white livery as a thank you to their engine manufacturers Honda, who are exiting F1 after this season.
This weekend the race was supposed to be held in Honda’s native Japan but had to be canceled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. This weekend Verstappen could put himself into prime position to clinch his first Formula1 world championship title.
*All odds available with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
We are liking the chances of the winning margin of the race winner to be over 8 seconds; Hamilton won the race here by 8+ seconds last season and given the fact that almost 75% of this season’s races have been won by 8+ seconds. This is due to Hamilton or Verstappen having enough time remaining to go into the pits and put on some fresher tires to try to set the fastest lap of the race, a scenario which most likely might occur again this weekend and given the fact Verstappen is favorite, Hamilton could be worth a bet here also to set the fastest lap of the race at +175.
Formula1 Picks: Winning Margin 8+ seconds -110 with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
How can we not bet on Daniel Riccardo to finish inside the top 6 at plus money, McLaren has been super strong as of late, and Riccardo has finished inside the top six on seven occasions this season and three times within the past four races. The Australian is also full of confidence since his race win at Monza and picked up a 4th place finish last time out I Sochi.
Formula1 Picks: Daniel Riccardo Top 6 +110 with Intertops (visit our Intertops Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.