For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last 3 years, you might not know that F1 has become quite a thing in recent year. The sport has seen a pretty steep interest increase thanks to the Netflix documentary centered on the league and the racers and coaches that make it up.
On any given Sunday, fans from all over the world are waking up early or stay up late so they can be assured that they see their favorite racers and teams competing for the podium.
Before we dive into the different types of bets you can wager on, let’s break down the different tips and strategies you should employ when betting on Formula 1.
Basic factors that determine the outcome of each race
When placing a wager on any F1 race, it’s important to understand the specific circuit history. Different circuits mean different things to drivers and there are advantages and disadvantages for each. As an example, some circuits have more hairpin turns while others are about speed and finishing well on straightaways.
Consider that cars change every season. The rule states that the teams need to rebuild the car each year, so there are entirely different machines that each team has and their mechanics need to manage. This plays a huge role in the outcome of each race. In addition, some teams have more money than others so their performance is typically linked to how well their car can run.
Finally, look at the qualifying times. These times correlate to where the drivers begin the race so you need to know where they are starting because it plays heavily into the odds.
One tip that we always say is to bet on more than one driver for each race. The odds are almost always plus value so if you keep your wager unit the same, you should profit money if you give yourself a few options and your racer wins.
F1 Betting – The Different Bets to Make
As with most sports, the books offer a variety of bets for each race. In no particular order, here are the most common bets you can make.
Race Winner
The race winner bet is the most common and straightforward wager in Formula 1. Here, bettors predict the driver who will cross the finish line first in a particular Grand Prix. Each driver is assigned odds by bookmakers based on their performance, car performance, and track conditions.
Podium Finish
A podium finish bet focuses on a driver’s performance relative to their competitors. Here, bettors wager on a driver to finish on the podium, i.e., in the top three positions. This bet offers a greater chance of winning as it doesn’t require the driver to win the race outright.
Pole Position
The pole position bet involves predicting which driver will qualify in the first position during the qualifying sessions. Qualifying is crucial as it determines the starting order for the race. Betting on pole position requires an understanding of a driver’s qualifying prowess, car performance, and track characteristics.
Fastest Lap
In this bet, bettors wager on which driver will achieve the fastest lap during the race. It requires assessing a driver’s ability to set quick laps and the team’s strategy, as drivers often go for the fastest lap towards the end of the race on fresh tires.
Head-to-Head
Head-to-head bets involve wagering on the performance of two specific drivers relative to each other. Bookmakers pair up drivers, and bettors choose the driver they believe will finish ahead of the other in a race. This bet allows fans to focus on a specific rivalry and adds an extra level of excitement to the race.
Constructor Championship
In addition to individual driver bets, bettors can also wager on the constructor championship. Here, they predict which team will accumulate the most points over the season. Factors such as car performance, reliability, and team strategy significantly determine the constructor champion.
Formula 1 is such a fast-growing sport that if you don’t jump in now, you’ll start to feel left out because it is gaining popularity each and every day.