Motor Sport betting
Following Red Bull’s dominance of proceedings during the month of May, it’s no surprise that their two triumphant drivers top the motor sport betting markets ahead of this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix.
Punters betting on motor sport will know that 5/2 shot Mark Webber found things to his liking in Spain and later in Monaco when 6/4 favourite Sebastian Vettel followed him home through the glitzy streets of Monte Carlo.
But the response of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button after two races without a podium finish and the loss of the lead in both championships may be a crucial factor at Istanbul Park. Motor sport betting markets reflect this, although Hamilton, who finished second here in 2008, is certainly confident.
Upgrades to his McLaren vehicle are likely to make it more competitive and the 6/1 about the Stevenage-born driver may persuade punters considering a weekend bet on motor sport that the diminutive driver is worthy of consideration.
Those who regularly engage in motor sports betting will know that Button, currently a 16/1 shot for victory, won here last year despite Vettel being the pole-sitter, after an error by the German on the first lap scuppered his chances. That success paid out a handsome dividend to punters who had backed Button, though predictions of something similar happening this time appear a little wide of the mark.
The man with a record all four drivers should envy is Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, who recorded a hat-trick of victories in this race between 2006 and 2008. If you’re contemplating a bet on motor sports, Massa cannot be discounted.
The Brazilian has not been among the champagne sprayers since the first two races of the season, but he’s a tempting 14/1 to put things right this weekend.
They’re the sort of odds likely to appeal to punters picking up a free bet after staking their bets with an online bookmaker as the received wisdom is that you should go for slightly longer odds when someone else is paying, especially if it’s an internet bookie!
Not surprisingly, motor sports betting has increased its standing amongst UK-based punters over the last few years following the respective success of Hamilton and Button. This resulted in one predictor of racing outcomes suggesting that F1 would be dominated by the British pair for years to come, although Red Bull appear to have put a temporary end to that notion.
This has not, however, prevented a raft of patriotic punters betting on motor sport – in particular on the last two world champions. Spurred by the ready availability of free bets, punters’ predictions have supported the theory that Britain’s F1 twosome are not finished with winning world titles. They may have a point, although current trends in motor sport betting are hardly in agreement with such a conclusion.
Nevertheless, this year’s exceptionally tight Driver’s Championship is still up for grabs and online bookmakers are having some difficulty determining just who will emerge victorious later in the year.
Punters reviewing the current leaderboard prior to having a bet on motor sport have some attractive odds from which to select. Vettel (6/4) leads Webber (3/1) in the race for the drivers’ crown, with Alonso next on 7/2, Hamilton priced at 6/1 and Button way back on 16/1.