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With the popularity of motorsports going up in recent years, gambling enthusiasts are having a blast. However, many bettors still make some rookie mistakes from time to time, placing them at a disadvantage. Without looking at all factors, betting on the fastest driver you know is not enough.
Motorsports, such as F1 and NASCAR, have gained popularity in recent years, even as streaming services and social media commentary have emerged.
Slick Netflix production teams that know how to combine slow motion and string music have taken the thrill of motorsports beyond the realm of high-speed enthusiasts. And with that thrill comes the growing appetite for gambling lovers.
YouGov reports that 47% of American sports bettors are interested in Formula 1. It is no wonder that the global motorsports betting market is expected to grow by 12% between 2024 and 2032.
The market was valued at approximately $8.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $22 billion by 2032. However, not all of these sports bettors understand what they are doing, and many end up making beginner mistakes.
For some bettors, they don’t take advantage of the opportunities they have been given, like crossover offers such as casino bonuses tied to racing events. For others, mistakes don’t happen because of ignorance, but out of enthusiasm. This article will look into some of these.
Overvaluing the Pole Position
It is true that pole position might increase a driver’s probability of winning a race, but it is not a guarantee. According to a study done on NASCAR, in the modern era, the chances of the pole winner finishing first have steadily declined. This also does not mean that you ignore the position of the driver when they are starting the race. For example, more than 70% of Monaco winners since 2000 started on the front row.
However, you should realize that winning a race is dependent on a couple of things. These include:
- Race pace
- Tire strategy
- Stage points
- Pit stops
- Cautions
In Formula 1, while pole position is valuable, particularly in tight circuits like Monaco, it is not a guaranteed win, especially if the car struggles with tire degradation or race pace.
In the 2024 NASCAR Cup series, winners came from all kinds of positions. In fact, Trey Ryan, on his X account, stated that the second position had proven to be the most advantageous for winning. In 50 races, the winning starting positions were as follows:
- 2nd: 10 wins
- 18th: 6 wins
- 3rd: 4 wins
- 8th: 4 wins
- 4th: 4 wins
- 5th : 3 wins
- 11th : 3 wins
- 24th: 2 wins
- 26th: 2 wins
- 13th: 2 wins
- 7th: 1 win
- 1st: 1 win
- 23rd: 1 win
- 32nd: 1 win
Looking at such numbers, it is safe to say that overvaluing the pole position will be the downfall of your betting career. Whether you are working with new online casinos in NZ or any sportsbook of your choice, proper valuation is key.
Ignoring Track Types and Driver Specialization
Not all tracks are created equally, and not all drivers perform the same in all of them.
Interestingly, some drivers excel at speedways like Daytona and Talladega but struggle in road courses like Watkins Glen. The difference between the two types of tracks is that the speedway tracks require drafting and survival, while the road courses depend on braking precision and gear management.
Betting on a driver because they have been ‘on fire’ lately would be a bad move, especially if they went into a track into a venue that is not their style.
For example, George Russell would fair fairly well in Jeddah, Spa or Austria but hates Austin. Also, for Max Verstappen, as much as he would do well in almost all tracks, racing in Baku is the worst.
Before you can even think about placing your bet, first look into the different tracks and the various drivers racing on them. Look at their histories with the track, and that might give you a good idea of their performances. However, just betting on a driver because you know they are good in other tracks might put you in a horrible position.
Misunderstanding the Impact of the Team and Equipment
Lewis Hamilton has been struggling in 2025 since he joined the Ferrari team. During his race on a damp Silverstone track, riding the SF-25, Hamilton was unhappy about his machinery’s behavior.
If you don’t know, Hamilton has had nine wins in this same track, more wins than any other driver at any given circuit. Even though he is a seven-time world champion, Hamilton said that the car was one of the most difficult cars he had driven in a few years.
When you think about Hamilton, you’d most definitely bet on him to win in any track. However, you would be surprised that the equipment he uses is a big factor in his performance.
During the Silverstone race, Hamilton stated that the car was not one that liked the conditions it was racing in. Despite the track drying out at the end, Hamilton also made lots of mistakes.
If you understand the performance of a particular car, you will be able to predict how it will perform.
Also, the team involved is quite instrumental. Take NASCAR, for example. Even if a driver has a lot of individual skill, if the pit crew consistently loses positions, they will struggle. Conversely, a solid team with top-tier engineering and pitwork can help even a ‘lesser-known’ driver outperform expectations.
Bet Smarter, Enjoy the Ride
Motorsport betting is among the most dynamic and strategy-driven forms of sports wagering today. However, if you are just starting out, it pays to avoid common rookie mistakes. Treat betting as a discipline and don’t leave anything to chance. All in all, data is your biggest friend.
