Hamilton to tighten his grip at British Grand Prix
Silverstone hosts another thriller
One of the standout dates on the sporting calendar takes place this weekend, with the British F1 Grand Prix going at Silverstone. Warm up and qualifying whets the appetite, with the race itself on Sunday.
Before an engine is revved, Coral traders adopt their usual stance, pricing local lad Lewis Hamilton as favourite for victory. That makes sense, but we’ve seen already this season that nothing can be taken for granted. Check the current line up and place your bets here.
Sunday to keep pace with an exciting season
News broke this week that the future of the British Grand Prix is in doubt, with Silverstone bosses admitting prices are spiralling out of control, and it’s fast becoming too expensive to stage. A worry for the future, or a shrewd call for help? It matters not this weekend as, in the short term, we are all set for what promises to be a thrilling race.
F1 organisers were full of promises in pre-season, telling fans they plan to bring the thrill of the sport back to the masses, and we must say they have done exactly that so far. The boring processions from start to finish are gone, and we’re now treated to plenty of speed, plenty of crashes and plenty of different winners. Let’s hope that continues on Sunday.
Vettel stuttered here last year
Sebastian Vettel was hammered by fans and F1 bosses recently for driving into rival Lewis Hamilton, accidently on purpose, but the German does lead the way in the driver’s championship, sitting on 171 points, 20 ahead of Hamilton. Both men have won three Grand Prix’s so far, but Seb has been the more consistent man, picking up points and places to keep the main danger at arm’s length.
The 30-year-old Ferrari pilot endured a terrible race here 12 months ago, ending ninth and bagging just two points. He was in trouble again, forcing Felipe Massa off the track. Fancy better luck this time? Seb doesn’t have too many friends in the sport at the minute, but his talents can’t be ignored, and he goes as a 9/4 second favourite to lead the way home.
Hamilton wants more of the same
It was a different story for Lewis Hamilton in 2016, as he won this race in style, and will want to go and defend that honour in front of the fans that worship the ground he drives on. It was far from plain sailing, but Hamilton kept his cool and ended up a dominant winner. He’d certainly love a repeat performance, especially if Vettel could finish down the rankings again. That would turn the title race in his favour.
Hamilton has had an iron grip over this GP in recent years, and odds compilers believe he will tighten that still. It would be a great day for fans and the British driver if his home race was the leg to swing the championship in his favour. Lewis has been a bit hit and miss at times this season, but we have him as an odds-on jolly to win again, 10/11 the call.
We preview all the weekend’s sports betting here
