Bookies Blog

The new Hockenheim course should prove an interesting challenge for the drivers this weekend. It’s the first Grand Prix to be held there since 2006 and although many have driven F3 on it, they found it a new experience on this revamped course for last week’s test trials

Hamilton looked strong with a half second lead on the second day of tests. The press have been speculating whether mcalren will employ the use of the new fin engine cover for the race, it is said to be factor in Hamilton’s confidence at the tests. However the fin doesn’t perform well in strong winds and Hockenheim, a track suffering from such problems, seems a risky place to test it for real.

 After Silverstone Hamilton has taken up joint residency of the number one spot with Massa and Raikkonen. All three will be pushing hard in the qualifying rounds to gain the pole position. This can explain such closely calculated odds for the Pole Position market, Raikkonen, Hamilton and Massa are 7/4, 9/4 and 9/4 respectively. This doesn’t really leave much value in the market, the only hope to distinguish anything between the three is Hamilton’s consistently high scores in the Qualifying rounds but to be frank its not really worth it.

 As to the winner it appears just as tight between the top three but I might have an each way bet on Kovalainen and see if I can make anything more than a modest return. Paddypower have released the same odds for the top three as in the Pole Position market.

 This weekend the money’s to be found in the points finish market down by Glock and Button. I’d probably stay away from Button despite, I’m sure, your patriotic inclinations. Glock is a good choice though, probably the most experienced driver for the Hockenheim circuit he’s pretty good money at 3/1 with Skybet and Bet365. If your feeling adventurous you might take a gamble on Barrichello after his pretty spectacular performance at Silverstone.

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Anticipation is mounting as we approach next weekend’s Grand Prix at Silvestone and the possibility of a home grown champion. The three Brits attending (Hamilton, Button and Coulthard) will be heavily supported by a record crowd of 240,000 over the race weekend. Hamilton is looking comfortable with the incredible turnout saying “It gives an extra boost to your confidence to know you’re getting more support, and it seems to make you perform better. Last year I found the support was immense and made the weekend a lot easier to get through.”

Hamilton will be looking to improve on his fourth place position after incurring penalties in Canada and France. Lewis finished third last year at Silverstone in his first British Grand Prix clocking up some much needed experience. Hamilton is expected to have a reasonable position after the qualifying round. His 12/5 at Betinternet shows the bookies feel his consistency as a driver will make up for his faults on etiquette.

Jenson Button is also looking forward to racing at Silverstone despite only a 1.21.445 best lap time (9^th). Jenson is at 400/1 at Boylesports.

Massa feels Mclaren will put up a greater challenge for his Ferarri team this week at the faster, more flowing, British track. “At Magny-Cours, we didn’t see the real performance from McLaren in the race as they were always blocked in traffic, but for sure, they can be a lot more competitive here.” However Massa will be looking to retain his lead position after a win at Magny-Cours. He is 3/1 to win at Ladbrokes.

Raikkonen is favourite to win this year at 3/2 on Bet1128 and 1.6/1 on Betfair. However, with the top four places so closely contended its hard to find a good value bet on the winner, I’d say Kubica is potentially a good each way bet at 14/1 on William Hill and Bet365.

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Kimi Raikkonen is the bookies’ favourite for the French Grand Prix at a top price of 5/4 with Blue Square, Coral, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power. The Flying Finn led a Ferrari 1-2 last season in what was considered the turning point in the drivers’ championship. Ferrari also won the race in 2006 with Michael Schumacher taking the chequered flag, so they have a record to be respected here.

Ferrari team mate Felipe Massa is the 9/4 second favourite with Sportingbet and with his great recent record in qualifying means there is a good chance he is on the front row of the grid.

Kubica, who won in Canada, is top priced at 8/1 third favourite with Totesport, while Lewis Hamilton is a 11/1 shot with Victor Chandler and Totesport. Only Heidfeld and Alonso are rated shorter than 100/1 to win the race.

In the pole position betting Massa and Raikkonen are the joint 5/2 favourites with Skybet, followed by Lewis Hamilton at 3/1 with Sportingbet and Kubica at 13/2, also with Sportingbet. Massa took pole last year, so he looks a solid bet this year at 5/2.

Skybet are betting on whether there will be a safety car in the race and offer 4/6 on ‘yes’ and 11/10 on ‘no’. There have been safety cars in the last three races but Magny-Cours is a much more open circuit and the 11/10 on ‘no’ looks like a touch of value.

See all the French Grand Prix betting at bookies.com

With the team line ups for the Formula One season now known the bookies have opened up their betting on the Constructors Championship.

Ferrari are unsuprisingly the 4/5 favourites with Canbet and Victor Chandler, followed by McLaren at a best price of 15/8 with Stan James.

For those who think that Renault can improve massively this season then you can get 8/1 with Stan James about the Alonso led team being top dog in 2008.

BMW are on offer at a general 16/1 while every other team is on offer at 40/1 or bigger.

Given that many people think that FIA stands for Ferrari’s Interests Always then it is not hard to see why the bookies make them such short priced favourites. I don’t think there’s a huge amount of value in the market as it stands, certainly until we learn how Kovalainen adapts to his new car. If he does prove to be as good as many expect then the 15/8 McLaren may be the value wager. I have backed him at 16/1 each way for the Drivers’ Championship on the basis of the skill he showed last season but he’ll only really shorten up if he shows that he can drive the car as well (or better) than Hamilton.

Check out all the 2008 Formula One betting odds at bookies.com