2019 is shaping up to be a two-man race between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel for the Formula 1 title. With the season opener in Australia just around the corner, here’s a comprehensive betting guide to the new racing season.
Motorsport leagues come in a variety, whether its NASCAR, Indycar, or MotoGP, but none has a larger worldwide following than Formula 1. Over 4 million fans pack stadiums across the globe to follow the action, with even more watching from home.
It's also one of the most lucrative sports around. Retired racer Michael Schumacher earned over $1 billion in prize money, which is rivaled only by Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. However, that cash isn't reserved just to racers. Matter of fact, Formula 1, with its nailbiting finishes, is an ideal sport to wager on. Whether you've watched a race before or not, this betting guide is made to help you get in on the fun!
The road to the 2019 Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship will be bumpy — no pun intended. Two familiar names head into the season as co-favorites, but it could be anyone's race. Here's who Bovada is pegging with the best lines to win the 2019 crown:
The 2019 season runs full throttle between March and December with 21 Grand Prix races dotting the race calendar. Sunday's are reserved for races and typically occur in two-week intervals. Moreover, competitions are held in almost every corner of the globe, ranging from China to France to Mexico to Brazil. Here are some key dates to look forward to:
It's only fair we start with the reigning Formula 1 world champion. The British-born racer from team Mercedes has dominated the sport to the tune of four titles in five years. He's a no-brainer bet to do it again this year.
Hamilton and his crew are very reminiscent of another dominant sports team, the New England Patriots, in they don't beat themselves. Ever. Take 2018 for example. Vettel pushed Hamilton at times before one costly mistake after another derailed his chances. A nine-month long Formula 1 season is very much a war of attrition and Hamilton just outlasts his foes.
Still, we wouldn't bank it all on Hamilton, who has already gone on record and said 2019 will be his "toughest battle yet." Results at preseason testing appear to prove that as team Ferrari, led by Vettel, consistently outpaced the current champions.
With that said, Hamilton still deserves a big stake of your futures money here. But you'd be wise to save some coin and put it on this next racer, too.
Team Ferrari's woes in 2018 extended outside the race course. First, its chief executive Sergio Marchionne passed away. Next, there was a civil war between Maurizio Arrivabene and Mattia Binotto, which the latter eventually won out to become team principal this season. It all sets up a calmer atmosphere in 2019 for Vettel, where he can focus on the lofty task at hand: ending Hamilton and Mercedes dominant run atop the standings.
As mentioned, Vettel and company wowed in the Barcelona preseason. Hamilton went as far as to say the gap was a half-second difference. That hype is perhaps why Vettel is the betting favorite entering the season opener next weekend in Australia.
It must be mentioned Vettel isn't just dueling with Hamilton in 2019. He'll have a stiff challenge in his own team courtesy of Leclerc, who joins Ferrari after one season with Sauber. Some believe Leclerc's presence will act a look-behind-your-back distraction for Vettel. Not us, though. If anything, that competition will push Vettel even harder. It's just the right amount of pressure to topple Hamilton, so sign us up!
For all intents and purposes, Hamilton and Vettel should command most of your betting money on this futures bet. However, if you're one of those bettors that likes to go against the grain, then Verstappen is the pick to make (on top of the other two).
Why? Because for all we know, Red Bull Racing's switch to Honda from Renault will be a game-changer. Perhaps the Japanese engine-maker has learned from its past mistakes with McLaren and has a surprise or two under the hood in store for Verstappen and company. The preseason times prove that just might be the case.
With steep +900 odds, throwing a few bucks on Verstappen in the event that Honda does have a trick up its sleeve is well worth it!
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
Other then the Drivers' Championship, you can also bet on the 2019 Formula 1 Constructors' Championship. Each team has two drivers in each race. Whoever scores more points become the constructor's champion.
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