Round 15 of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship sees the cars and drivers head to the famous Autodromo Nazionale Monza, for the Italian Grand Prix. After Max Verstappen sailed to his 9th straight victory last week at Zandvoort, can anyone snap the winning streak this week? Let’s find out.
It was a poor race for our bets at Zandvoort, going just 1-3 (-3.63u), after a poor race for the Mercedes pair. Let’s see if we can turn it around here.
2023 Formula 1 Betting Tips
Dutch Grand Prix Review
Verstappen quickly asserted his dominance last weekend, going quickest in FP1 and FP3, before taking Pole Position by over 0.5s. Lando Norris stuck his McLaren on the front row, followed by George Russell and Alex Albon in P4, a tremendous qualifying from the young Brit.
The race started in drizzling rain, with all cars starting on dry weather tyres. By the end of lap 1, it was pouring down, and several drivers used the opportunity to pit, including Perez, Gasly, Zhou, and Leclerc. It worked out brilliantly for Perez, Gasly, and Zhou, whilst Ferrari weren’t ready for Leclerc, ruining his chances. Within 2 laps, Perez had passed everyone who was still out on dry tyres, showing he came in at the optimal time. By the time everyone stopped, the order was Perez, Zhou, Gasly, Verstappen.
By the time the drivers pitted for soft tyres and came back out, Verstappen had taken the lead. Despite a monumental downpour which caused a red flag, Verstappen was never headed, winning his 9th in a row from Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly.
Italian Grand Prix Preview
If there’s any place where there could be an odd result, it’s here. In 2020, Pierre Gasly won his maiden grand prix here in an Alpha Tauri, winning from Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll. Then, in 2021, Daniel Ricciardo won for McLaren, in an historic 1-2 for the Woking based outfit. Last year, Verstappen won his first Italian Grand Prix, and the first for a Red Bull since 2013.
Ferrari were quick here last season, with Leclerc claiming Pole Position, before finishing 2nd behind Verstappen. If they’re going to be quick anywhere, it will be here. I’m sure there will be an upgrade, and a quick Ferrari out of the box on Friday is a bet I like the look of. Whilst it’s hard to see anyone beating Verstappen, I like Ferrari to be competitive, at least in the early part of the weekend.
The Alpine seems to have taken a step forward in the past two races, and I like them to be nipping at the heels of the points paying positions. Their prices are decent value, and I’ll look to make a play on one, if not both the Alpine drivers.
Finally, I’ll make a play on a double Red Bull podium. At the last power-based circuit (Spa), the Red Bull pair absolutely decimated the opposition, and with their ridiculous top-end speed, even if they start mid-pack, I believe they’ll be able to get back up the front with their package.
Other Bets
Charles Leclerc (Fastest FP1) - $12.00 @ Dabble (0.5u)
Pierre Gasly (Top 10) - $1.75 @ NEDS (1u)
Charles Leclerc (Top 3 finish) - $4.00 @ TAB (0.5u)
Red Bull (Double Podium)
$1.80 (3 Units)
