The first race on the biggest and most exciting Formula 1 calendar is here. A lot has been said in car reveals and pre-season testing but the most important thing is scoring points and winning races in the first weekend. If you want a detailed look at what happened during the pre-season testing make sure to check out our blog for context. Now, let’s focus on the action we anticipate on watching this weekend.
This time around, the cars remain relatively unchanged but the faces around the paddock are way different from last years. We have changes to team principals, a couple of new rookies with exciting new talents, and also a driver making his comeback to the sport.
BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT – BETTING TIPS
RACE WINNERS
After the astonishing way that Max Verstappen performed last season, it’s difficult not to put him as the favourite to be the first to take the chequered flag in Bahrain. He had no issues during testing, managed to do all his running in the first two days, and is well-positioned to continue where he left off. Max Verstappen is priced at 9/11 (1.82) to win the first race of the 2023 season. The second favorite is Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari at 3/1 (4.00) to start off the season with aplomb. Last season, his title chances were destroyed by unreliability, team mistakes, and a couple of misjudged steering inputs that cost him valuable points. Fred Vasseur has taken charge of the team instead of Mattia Binotto and feels good about Ferrari’s chances this year.
Podium Finish
The contenders to get on the podium for the opening race of the season could be a mixed bag. Sergio Perez’s Red Bull is slightly more favorable to be the driver on the podium at 5/7 (1.72), with Carlos Sainz at 3/2 (2.50). As we witnessed last year, Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen were running at the front, but the engine could not go the distance resulting in a double DNF for the team. That would open up opportunities for Lewis Hamilton at 7/4 (2.75) to get on the podium, with Fernando Alonso to bag the first podium with Aston Martin at 5/2 (3.50).
Special Bets
We are getting a bit creative in this section with bets; a safety car in Bahrain has featured often, especially on the opening laps of the Grand Prix, we are pricing a safety car at 2/9 (1.22) whilst a Virtual Safety car to be deployed is priced at 1/2 (1.50). As the cars are looking more bunched up after a year developing their machines, we are pricing the winning margin to be between five and ten seconds inclusive at 9/4 (3.25).
Race Times
Practice 1 – Friday, 3rd March 2023, 14:30 – 15:30
Practice 2 – Friday, 3rd March 2023, 18:00 – 19:00
Practice 3 – Saturday, 4th March 2023, 14:30 – 15:30
Qualifying – Saturday, 4th March 2023, 18:00 – 19:00
Race – Sunday, 5th March 2023, 18:00
Times displayed are tracks times
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*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing