Formula 1 Betting Picks for the 2021 Season
Betting on the Formula 1 picks over most of the past decade really hasn't been gambling per se. The sport has been dominated by driver Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes team. Hamilton has won the last four and six of the past seven world drivers' championship titles. Meanwhile, he's helped Mercedes capture the past seven F1 constructors' championships. Last year, Mercedes won 13 of the 17 races on the Formula 1 schedule.
- Lewis Hamilton has won four in a row and six of seven Formula 1 world drivers' championships
- Mercedes is the winner of the past eight Formula 1 world constructors' titles
- Red Bull's Max Verstappen (two) was the only driver to win multiple races last season who didn't drive a Mercedes
Is there any rational reason to select any other driver or team in the 2021 Formula 1 picks other than defending champions Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes? Well, based on testing for the opening race of the season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, there appears to be at least a glimmer of hope that there will actually be racing this season, as opposed to everyone chasing Hamilton and Mercedes.
Changes were introduced to reduce downforce on the cars and at the Bahrain testing, it appeared that Red Bull was the team with the best handle on the new technology. Max Verstappen was No. 1 in the runs around the course, while Hamilton was clocked in fourth.
Man on a mission. pic.twitter.com/D0WHTZLnBg
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) March 12, 2021
Nonetheless, oddsmakers still see the defending champions as clear favorites. Hamilton is opening at -250 to defend his title yet again in the Formula 1 odds. Meanwhile, Mercedes are the overwhelming -400 chalk in the Formula 1 betting to race off with another constructor's crown.
| Driver |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis Hamilton | -250 | -225 | -225 |
| Max Verstappen | +300 | +300 | +225 |
| Valtteri Bottas | +1200 | +1400 | +1300 |
| Sergo Perez | +1600 | +1600 | +1500 |
| Danuel Riccardo | +4000 | +3300 | +3000 |
| Charles Leclerc | +5000 | +5000 | +4500 |
This year's Formula 1 schedule shows 23 races, up from 17 a year ago. If you're new to Formula 1 betting, be sure to take a look through our handy how to bet Formula 1 guide.
Who Could Topple Hamilton?
Along with winning 11 of 17 races last season, Hamilton also captured the pole position for 10 races and turned the fastest lap in six events.
Hamilton's dominance is such that BetOnline is offering a drivers' championship betting market that eliminates the Mercedes pilot from the equation.
Testing done ✔️ Positive vibes 🤘 #KeepPushing 🇧🇭 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/AgHxHoRybc
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) March 14, 2021
In this Formula 1 betting line, Verstappen is at -150, with Valtteri Bottas, Hamiton's Mercedes teammate, offered at odds of +325.
Consistency is Hamilton's greatest ally. He won 10 races in 2019 and took the checkered flag in 11 races during the 2018 season.
Constructing A Legacy
Another win in the F1 constructors' championship in 2021 will give Mercedes an unprecedented mark in the sport's history. Ford also won seven constructors' championships in succession from 1968 through 1974, so an eighth straight title would be a first in the annals of F1.
And the most picked constructor so far in 2021 #F1Fantasy is...@McLarenF1!
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 20, 2021
Haven't got your team sorted yet? Do it here 👇
Can any team stop Mercedes' appointed date with destiny? Well, Red Bull seems to have the best handle on the new aero package to start the season and with limited testing available this season, teams who are playing catch-up will have much less opportunity to iron out the kinks.
| Team | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes | -400 | -350 | -400 |
| Red Bull | +250 | +300 | +250 |
| McLaren | +2500 | +2800 | +2400 |
| Ferrari | +2800 | +3300 | +2600 |
| Aston Martin | +8000 | +6600 | +7000 |
McLaren is also an interesting dark horse. They are switching back to Mercedes for their power plant this season. McLaren was third in the standings last year, collecting 202 points, the first time in eight years that the British team reached the 200-point plateau.
Bahrain Grand Prix Picks
Originally, the 2021 F1 season was to begin with the Australian Grand Prix, and the last time that Hamilton won the season-opening race was in the 2015 Australian GP.
Who's up for a bit of racing next Sunday?! 😃#F1 pic.twitter.com/9PBx1wvnqF
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 21, 2021
There aren't often times when you should avoid playing Hamilton in the Formula 1 Vegas odds, but the season opener is that occasion. He's lost the first race of the year five years running.
| Driver | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | +150 | +150 | +125 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +165 | +165 | +140 |
| Valtteri Bottas | +450 | +500 | +450 |
| Sergio Perez | +700 | +750 | +750 |
| Daniel Ricciardo | +2500 | +750 | +2500 |
Oddsmakers are also of this belief. Verstappen is listed as the +125 favorite to win the Bahrain Grand Prix, even though Hamiton has won the race the past two years. Bettors can access a +500 betting line on Valtteri Bottas. The Finnish driver, Hamilton's Mercedes teammate, has won the season-opening event the past two years.
Where To Bet On Formula 1
There are a number of leading online sports betting sites that will provide bettors the chance to place a wager on the Formula 1 season. The best bet you can make is to shop around in advance and seek out the right deal before joining one of these sportsbooks. Check out BetUS and MyBookie as examples.
The signup bonus offers that are in place at all of these recommended sites will prove advantageous to the bettor. And since you'll get a good deal wherever you go, why not check out several sites and find the ideal fit for your needs?
Since we last raced in Bahrain there have been one or two changes! 😃#F1 pic.twitter.com/44Gku21rg4
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 21, 2021
Do you want a risk-free first bet as a signup bonus? Perhaps you find a no-deposit bonus to be enticing. Or maybe you simply like the feel of cold, hard cash in your account and you want to go for a matching first deposit bonus. Whatever option you choose, you're already a winner.
Remember that new players and returning customers are eligible for better bonuses when they deposit using Bitcoin. As well, take advantage of the betting advice offered at these sites to help newcomers acclimatize to sports betting.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the right one for you:
