Exciting Formula 1 Season Drawing To A Close

Editor’s Note: This article on the 2021 Formula One season is posted in collaboration with an outside sponsorship client. The opinions and information contained within do not necessarily represent Frontstretch and its staff. 

After 18 fascinating and exciting races, this year’s Formula One season only now has 4 races left, before the cars are taken back to the garage and covered up for the winter. After the 2020 season, which was delayed and constantly changed around due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was good to get back to as close to normality as possible this season. A few marquee races, such as the Australian, Japanese and Canadian Grand Prix events, were unfortunately cancelled again Luckily, they have been replaced by new races in Saudi Arabia and the return of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.

It was in the Netherlands where we saw Dutch driver Max Verstappen beginning to take hold of this year’s championship, becoming the odds makers favourite. Before then, it had been a tug of war between Verstappen of the Red Bull Racing team and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. However, since then, the young Dutchman has won 2 races (the most recent 2, in Austin and in Mexico City) and finished 2nd twice, while Hamilton has only won once, in Russia, whilst finishing 2nd twice and a fifth-place finish in Turkey.

There was, of course, the famous incident between the two drivers in Monza, at the Italian Grand Prix, where Verstappen’s car ended up on Hamilton’s, taking them both out of the race. Many were angered at the Red Bull man, saying he had deliberately gone into his rival who was about to pull ahead. Others say that Hamilton had forced him out wide, leaving him no option but to cut the corner. Either way, it made for thrilling viewing. The competition between the two men means that they have similar odds for every race, with no clear favorite at any one time. Therefore, bet correctly at the beginning of the race on the outcome, and you’ll be very pleased.

With the Brazilian Grand Prix happening on Nov. 14, fans will be looking to place bets on the race, for overall winner, podium places, and possibly even which drivers might crash. So, if you are looking for the best online sportsbook deals, then therx.com could be just the place for you. Not only are there some top sign-up bonuses, such as a 20% deposit match worth up to $500, but also great odds boost deals too, which can increase the amount you win when placing successful bets. It also has a great range of NFL, NBA and MLB odds, too, as well as fantasy sports offers. It really is a great place to find odds on sports, and place bets on all the unfolding action.

Seeking more information on how the Formula One season has played out? Let’s first look back at the Mexican Grand Prix, then look ahead to Interlagos, as well as look at some of the other news coming out of the world of F1.

Mexico Grand Prix debrief

The Mexican Grand Prix was interesting for a number of reasons. Before any of the free practices began, everyone assumed that Red Bull would be the quickest on the track, due to their car favoring the high altitude. However, when it came to qualifying, they got it really quite wrong, as the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas qualified up front with his teammate Hamilton in second. Verstappen could only manage third while Sergio Perez, the only Mexican driver on the grid, was in fourth. This would have upset oddsmakers, and anyone who thought that Red Bull would get 1-2 in qualifying.

The Mercedes drivers would have wanted to keep Verstappen behind them as long as possible, but due to a bad start from Bottas, who then didn’t properly cover the left-hand side of the track, Verstappen had gotten into his slipstream and was up into the lead by the time of the first corner. Hamilton moved into second, whilst Bottas was spun round by Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren, which essentially ended his afternoon. The wreck would have disappointed anyone who placed bets on Bottas to finish on the podium.

Verstappen sped off into the distance, with Hamilton powerless to stop him. Instead, his attention turned to keeping Perez behind him. Despite the crowd cheering on the Mexican at every second, and with a clearly faster car, due to the difficulty in overtaking at this circuit, Hamilton managed to keep the second Red Bull behind him. Hamilton finished in second place while Perez took third in his home country.

Will Red Bull dominate again in Brazil?

That certainly seems like the most likely outcome. The Red Bull car and the Honda engine are working perfectly together right now, and Interlagos is another track that would likely favor their setup. The Brazilian Grand Prix didn’t happen in 2020 due to COVID-19 but was won by Max Verstappen in 2019.

Hamilton has won twice in Interlagos, in 2016 and 2018, but given how dominant he has been for years, two wins in 13 attempts would indicate this is not one of his favorite circuits. Hamilton will do everything in his power to make it three wins in 14 years, but we see this one going to Verstappen again. The odds certainly favor the Dutchman in these final few races, and many bettors make him their favorite for the season title.

How will the constructors’ championship finish?

Even while Verstappen has been the stronger driver, Mercedes held a good lead in the constructors’ championship, as both Hamilton and Bottas were regularly finishing on the podium. In recent races, however, Sergio Perez has found much more consistency, and has caught up to Bottas. Red Bull are now only one point behind Mercedes, so if they carry on their good form to the end of the season, I expect the energy drink manufacturer to take that championship too.

Whatever the outcome in these final four races, it has been good to have a competitive F1 season again. For too long, Mercedes and Hamilton won without being properly challenged, so it is good to see a strong Red Bull organization reaching their level. Let’s hope this competitiveness carries on into 2022.