Drivers gear up for golden 50th Silverstone anniversary
As drivers prepare for the 50th Anniversary of the British Grand Prix being hosted at Northamptonshire track Silverstone, it is once again home hope Lewis Hamilton and teammate Nico Rosberg that lead the way in terms of betting.
It is the German (odds-on favourite to win the title at 8/11), though, who remains top of the Drivers’ Championship standings, increasing his advantage over Hamilton (11/10) to 29 points, following victories in two of the last three races.
The Englishman is favourite to win his second GP on home soil, however, at 4/6, whereas last year’s champion Rosberg is 13/8.
Only one current driver has won at Silverstone more than once, Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard may have only been on the podium once this season, coming third in China, but is a great chance to finish in the top three here again at 3/1. Double Drivers’ Championship winner Alonso is tempting 33/1 shout for his third British GP victory – which will put him two behind joint-record holders Jim Clark and Alain Prost.
Mercedes have dominated this season so far, but just one man managed to beat the duo; predictably a Red Bull driver. However, it is not four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, but his younger teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who won at the Canadian GP.
The Australian is a great chance at 25/1 for victory again, or 15/8 to finish on the podium for the fourth time this season. Vettel, meanwhile, is 33/1 and 5/2 respectively.
Williams put up a good battle last time out at the Austrian GP, with drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa coming third and fourth, after starting the race on the front row. They are 22/1 and 20/1 respectively to be fastest in qualifying, and both at 2/1 for a podium finish.
The tension between Hamilton and Rosberg seems to be ever more obvious and public, but can they work together and see the season out to win the Constructors’ Championship? They are 158 points ahead of second-placed Red Bull and are heavily odds-on at 1/100 to finish first, but don’t count out Vettel’s team, if Mercedes self-implode, who are priced at 40/1.
