Welcome along as the eighth round of the 2023 F1 season is set to take place at the Circuit de Catalunya, the host of the Spanish Grand Prix. We are expecting an engaging race under the sun on a track where, for this year, new changes are made to the configuration, which might increase the worries for some.
Read on to learn more about the changes made to the configuration, who are the favourites to take the chequered flag and who is likely to feature on the podium. Follow us on our LV BET Sports Blog for all news relating to Formula 1.
TRACK CONFIGURATION
A lot has been done to the track since the last time F1 came to town, with the most notable change to the last chicane. Introduced in 2007, turn 14 and 15 proved to be a tough section to conquer as high sausage curbs could well damage your underfloor, thus for the 2023 race layout coming out from the last corner will be reinstated to its original layout, removing the chicane. New TECPRO barriers will be introduced in the last two high-speed corners, and the official length of the track has been reduced by 18 metres, standing at 4.657 in total.
By Turn 1, we will see some changes as well: widening of the run-off area including 70 more metres of gravel plus a slope of 5% and a new fence protecting turns 1 and 2 to improve the safety of drivers. The slope might not be the most significant change for spectators on TV, but the drivers and engineers will be mindful of that as it might degrade the tyre life quicker.
The other two changes to the track are cosmetic changes, with the scoreboard being remodelled for 2023, including a ‘more modern’ signalling tower, and the hospitality and corporate areas will be refurbished.
RACE WINNERS
Now, let’s turn our focus towards the drivers most likely to take the chequered flag. The obvious name that comes to mind is Max Verstappen, who is currently enjoying the time of his life, leading the drivers championship by 39 points from his teammate Sergio Perez. The Mexican had a race to forget in Monaco, after crashing in Q1, leaving him dead last, Max Verstappen, who led the race from start to finish, lapped him twice. We are pricing Max Verstappen to win in Spain at 1.35, whilst Sergio Perez is at 4.00 to bounce back after the disappointment at the Principality. Fernando Alonso will fancy his chances as the home crowd roars his name after his scintillating start to the season, and he is priced at 11.00 to win, whilst Charles Leclerc is further down the pecking order at 29.00 to register his first win this season.
PODIUM PLACES
The podium places are set to be contested between Ferrari and Mercedes, with the silver arrows showing good signs of progression after their latest upgrade package introduced unorthodoxly at Monaco. We are siding more towards a Ferrari podium, with Charles Leclerc coming in at 2.75 to be on the podium whilst teammate Carlos Sainz is at 4.50. The chances of Mercedes having one of their drivers on the podium is priced at 5.00 for either driver.
CARS BETTING
- McLaren both cars finishing in the points is at 7.50
- Ferrari having the fastest pitstop is valued at 2.35
- Haas to have both cars classified at 1.35
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*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing