There is still a whole lot of racing to come in this Formula 1 season, but it is beginning to look as though we are beginning to see a definite change in the regular order of business. In years past, we have come to expect Lewis Hamilton to go out and win every race, while also expecting him to win another world championship. With that in mind, the expectation was that he would wrap up his record-breaking 8^th title in rather short measure, but if that is to happen, he is going to need to come from off the pace to do it. This weekend, the drivers are at the Red Bull Ring for the second straight week, last week was the Styrian Grand Prix, while this week is the Austrian Grand Prix. Let’s take a look at the current favorites along with their Formula 1 odds.

Formula 1 Betting Analysis for the BWT Grosser Preis Von Österreich 2021

Max Verstappen (-165)

We are 8 races into the season and Verstappen has already surpassed the total number of wins that he delivered last season. He has 4 wins already this year, which is enough to have him sitting atop the driver standings, albeit with a rather slender 18-point lead. That lead should tell you that no one is looking at this season as being over just yet, especially with a large chunk of the season still to come. Still, this has to feel good for the Dutchman, especially after a troubled 2020 when he was incredibly consistent but also had 5 races where he was forced to retire. He comes into this race as the favorite after winning on this very track last weekend. He has now won twice and not finished worse than 3^rd in his last 4 races at the Red Bull Ring.

Lewis Hamilton (+200)

While the general feeling was that Hamilton would come out and win his 8^th world title this season, there were some who had their doubts. The fact that it took so long for him to agree to another contract with Mercedes was seen as a sign that he might not be ready for this season. He put that notion to bed rather quickly by winning 3 of the first 4 races of the season, but he has not taken a checkered flag since his win in Spain. That is a 4-race stretch where Hamilton has not won, although he does have a pair of 2^nd place finishes in that time. I would not be counting out the champ just yet, though, as there is a lot of time to get this thing turned around. This is a track where he routinely does well, so perhaps his comeback starts this weekend.

Sergio Perez (+1100)

As the odds clearly show, the bookies are looking at this as a 2-horse race, which is not that surprising when you consider that Verstappen and Hamilton finished 1 and 2 at this track last weekend. If there is a driver who can break up that monopoly, then perhaps it is Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez. It was a big year for Perez in 2020, winning his first F1 race and making a big money move to the Red Bull team. He has rewarded his team by winning this season in Azerbaijan and staying consistent enough to be sitting in 3^rd overall heading into this weekend.

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