The Formula 1 calendar returns to Singapore for the first time in 3 years, as the pandemic kept the racers away from one of the most brutal tracks on the calendar.
With the 2022 Formula 1 season all but wrapped up, races like the Singapore Grand Prix offer us bettors a ray of sunshine. With Max Verstappen so far winning 11 of the 16 races and the past 5 on the trot, his odds and chances to win any given race are quickly getting to the point where there is no longer value on betting on the Dutchman. But at a tight and twisting street circuit such as Singapore, there could be a spot for another man to win, if his team can manage to keep it together…
Ben Bridge brings you his best bets for the Singapore Grand Prix!
2022 Formula 1 Betting Tips
Italian Grand Prix Review
There was reason to be optimistic at the Italian Grand Prix for a Ferrari win, with Leclerc looking quick out of the box and taking pole position. Max Verstappen also took a grid penalty, pushing him to 7th on the grid.
That optimism was pushed aside quickly, with Verstappen having a quality first lap, passing Ricciardo for 3rd at the start of lap 2, and by the start of lap 5 he was in 2nd, only 2 seconds behind Leclerc. With Seb Vettel’s stranded Aston Martin leading to a VSC on lap 12, Ferrari decided to pit Leclerc and put medium tyres on, in another seemingly bone-headed call, with the Monegasque returning to the track in 3rd place.
Verstappen pitted on lap 26, managing to do double the distance on the same compound as Leclerc. He came out in 2nd, some 10 seconds behind Leclerc, however Leclerc had to pit again on lap 33, as Verstappen had closed the gap to under 5 seconds.
Ricciardo stopping on track triggered a safety car with 5 laps left, with the race finishing behind a safety car. Verstappen led by 17 seconds prior to the safety car, so a dominant win for Red Bull and Verstappen, with Leclerc and Russell rounding out the podium.
Singapore Grand Prix Preview
At the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix, Ferrari were the fastest car the entire weekend, which ultimately culminated in a 1-2 finish for the Prancing Horse, in what turned out to be in all likelihood Sebastian Vettel’s 53rd and last Formula 1 victory.
Whilst Verstappen is favourite for a reason, there are reasons to be optimistic of a tighter fight at the front, particularly in qualifying, which is huge in Singapore given how difficult it is to overtake at the venue. Ferrari and Mercedes should be in the fight with the Red Bull in qualifying, and as such this is where the value lies for this race.
The wild card this weekend is the weather, with thunderstorms a 60% chance on Saturday and Sunday. This could really spice up the action, however particularly in the race, if the rain is too heavy the FIA will likely postpone the start, or if the race is running either red flag or run laps behind the safety car.
Whilst I still concede Verstappen is the likely winner this weekend, this track layout gives us one of the best chances remaining this year to get an upset winner. George Russell managed to take pole position at Hungary in changing conditions, and I’m going to lean on the young Brit to claim his second career Pole Position. In the race, we’re going to hope for a Ferrari or Mercedes victory, whilst I wouldn’t be surprised to see an Alpine up in the top 6 by the end of the race.
More bets:
Carlos Sainz (Winner) - $13.50 @ Betfair (2u)
George Russell (Pole Position + Race Winner) - $51 @ Bet365 (0.5u)
Lewis Hamilton (Winner) - $15 @ Betfair (1u)
George Russell (Pole Position) - $23 @ Bluebet (0.5u)
Esteban Ocon (Top 6) - $3.70 @ Palmerbet (1.5u)
Mercedes (Double Podium) - $4.50 @ Ladbrokes (1.5u)
Charles Leclerc (Winner)
$5.30 (3 Units)
