Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Preview
Thursdays of race weeks will be F1 Race previews, with all the info you need to be up-to-date before lights out. Plus, some predictions and spots where you can potentially make some money on race weekend
Only two races left, as what’s been a fascinating season winds down in Saudi Arabia, followed by next weekends finale in Dubai. While a human rights crisis in the country looms over this weekends race, the on-track attention will undoubtedly focus on the tight Championship race both between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton for the Drivers Championship, and between Mercedes and Red Bull for the Constructors title.
CURRENT STANDINGS
Driver Standings
Scenarios for Max to Win This Weekend
1) Verstappen 1st + fastest lap & Hamilton 6th
2) Verstappen 1st & Hamilton 7th
3) Verstappen 2nd + fastest lap & Hamilton 10th
4) Verstappen 2nd & Hamilton Doesn’t Score
SAUDI ARABIAN GP
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
JEDDAH
Track Layout
Onboard at Jeddah in F1 2021
What People Are Saying
NEW CIRCUIT
There are also plans for a new circuit for future iterations of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which will take place on a track named “Al Qiddiyah.” More details below.
BETTING LINES AND PREDICTIONS
POLE
- Lewis Hamilton 1.65
- Max Verstappen 3.50
- Valtteri Bottas 5.50
- Sergio Perez 26.0
- Charles Leclerc 41.0
- Lando Norris 51.0
- Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly 67.0
- Daniel Ricciardo, Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso, George Russell 101
- Antonio Giovinazzi, Lance Stroll, Sebastian Vettel, Yuki Tsunoda 251
- Kimi Raikkonen, Mick Schumacher, Nicholas Latifi, Nikita Mazepin 601
Given the advantage Mercedes has shown in speed over the past few races and this supposedly being a fast (but long) track, it’s hard not to take Lewis Hamilton here. It’s also the best odds you’ll get on him all weekend at this point. That’s the roll of the dice. If you believe Lewis will take pole and go on to win, throw your money on him here. Otherwise, take a shot at Verstappen and Bottas and load up on Lewis after his odds change post-qualification.
ODDS – Hamilton (1.65/1), Verstappen (3.5/1), Bottas (5.5/1)
PODIUM
- Lewis Hamilton 1.17
- Max Verstappen 1.25
- Valtteri Bottas 1.55
- Sergio Perez 2.75
- Charles Leclerc 6.50
- Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly 7.00
- Lando Norris 9.00
- Daniel Ricciardo 15.0
- Fernando Alonso 17.0
- Esteban Ocon 26.0
- Sebastian Vettel, George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda 34.0
- Lance Stroll 67.0
- Mick Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Nicholas Latifi, Antonio Giovinazzi, Nikita Mazepin 251
Assuming nothing crazy happens at the front (*knocks wood*) the two title contenders will likely pull away from the field, leaving a chance here to make some money with that third spot. Of course Bottas and Perez are the most likely to contend for it, but with a new track and multiple safety cars expected in this one, we could see another surprise much like Alonso in Qatar. In the 7-1 range there are three guys that could easily claim that spot, and with good odds Alonso may be worth a look as well.
ODDS – Leclerc (6.5/1), Sainz (7/1), Gasly (7/1), Alonso (17/1)
RACE WIN
- Lewis Hamilton 1.50/1
- Max Verstappen 3.10
- Valtteri Bottas 13.0
- Sergio Perez 21.0
- Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly 67.0
- Carlos Sainz 81.0
- Daniel Ricciardo 151
- Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon 251
- Yuki Tsunoda 301
- George Russell, Kimi Raikkonen, Lance Stroll, Antonio Giovinazzi, Mick Schumacher, Nicholas Latifi, Sebastian Vettel, Nikita Mazepin 601
There really isn’t much money to be won here unless something crazy happens. If you believe Verstappen will take pole and win the race, now is the time to take him at his current odds. If he takes pole those odds will drop like a stone. Otherwise, either see if Hamilton doesn’t make pole, or take a chance on craziness, pick your favourite middle of the pack guy, and see what happens.
ODDS: Verstappen (3.1/1), Leclerc & Norris (67/1), Alonso (251/1)
REMAINING RACE(S)
Check back in on Friday AND Saturday for my updated Saudi Arabian Grand Prix bets!
