The F1 season continues this week as we head to the Sochi Autodrom for the Russian Grand Prix! There are just six races remaining in the 2019 season and while Lewis Hamilton has all but wrapped up the drivers’ championship, the race for the minor placings is well and truly still alive.
We have a full preview and betting tips for the Russian Grand Prix below!
2019 Russian Grand Prix Betting Tips
After a disappointing season to date, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel finally picked up his first win of the season in Singapore on the weekend. He joins Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen as the only drivers to win a race in 2019, and tightened the gap from himself to the podium in the drivers’ championship.
Vettel’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, continued his hot run post the mid-season break, finishing second in Singapore. After winning in both Belgium and Italy, the third straight podium helped Leclerc jump into a tie for third place in the drivers’ standings with Max Verstappen, who finished third in Singapore.
The Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas finished in fourth and fifth place respectively and while it was just the third time Hamilton has failed to finish on the podium this season, he still commands a near unassailable lead over the chasing pack.
The Track
After a really tricky weekend in Singapore, the drivers will get a bit of respite this week at the Sochi Autodrom. The Autodrom is a lot more open and flat than most other tracks on the F1 circuit, and has been likened to ‘driving flat out in a car park’ by Aussie Daniel Ricciardo.
The 5.85km circuit is the fourth longest on the F1 tour and is built around the Sochi Olympic Park. It was designed by German Hermann Tilke and has been the host of the Russian Grand Prix since it returned to the rotation in the 2014 season after a 100 year hiatus.
Prediction
The apparent return to form of the Ferraris has put a really interesting spin on the remainder of the 2019 F1 season. While the Lewis Hamilton lead is unassailable, there’s no doubt that there is some bragging rights up for grabs over the last few months of competition.
The Brittish driver has had a stranglehold on the Russian Grand Prix since it’s return in 2014, winning three of the five races including last season. His teammate Valtteri Bottas also boasts a win in Russia.
There is some great value in F1 now that the Ferraris have come to the party, and the current form of Charles Leclerc is undeniable. At $3.25, the Monegasque driver is great value to pick up his third win in the last four races.
Charles Leclerc to win
$3.25
