With just one race completed in the 2021 Formula 1 season, it is altogether too early to start making bold predictions. That said, seeing Lewis Hamilton get the season rolling with yet another win has to be a little disheartening for all the other drivers. What with his contract issues and some uncertainty about this season, there was a sense that perhaps Hamilton might get off to a slow start. That victory seems to have cast aside all doubts, but with many more races still to come, there is plenty of time for the story to change and for some other driver to make a move. This weekend, F1 will head to Italy for the second race on the schedule. It’s the usual list of favorites, but let’s take a closer look at the Formula 1 odds for the 2021 Emilia Romagna GP.

Formula 1 Betting Analysis for the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton (+125)

You have to say that the odds on Hamilton right now are a bit of a bargain for what will be the first of two visits to Italy this season. It was essentially the same story last weekend, so it is somewhat surprising to see Hamilton in at this price after winning in rather comfortable fashion in the opening race of the season. It’s even more surprising when you consider that Hamilton won at this track last season. The Imola circuit made its return to F1 last year after being off the schedule since 2006, but if Hamilton had issues with an unfamiliar track, we certainly didn’t see it.

Max Verstappen (+120)

If Hamilton was out of the picture, it would almost certainly be Verstappen who would be the driver to beat in just about every single race. The Dutchman is ridiculously consistent and would have been an even bigger threat last season had he been behind the wheel of a vehicle that cooperated as it should have. It’s tough to know what to expect from him at this track, as this was one of 5 races he was forced to retire from last season. Verstappen finished 2nd in Bahrain last weekend, and while it is still very early, a win here would make things very interesting indeed.

Valtteri Bottas (+650)

Bottas is in a bit of a strange position in that he is one of the drivers who could potentially be standing in the way of Hamilton winning his record setting 8th world championship. The reason it’s strange is because he is Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes. The season got off to a very familiar start for Bottas, who finished 3rd at Bahrain in the opening weekend. He has spent the majority of his career playing second fiddle to Hamilton, but he is certainly good enough to take that next step. Can he start with a win in Italy this weekend?

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?