F1 Race Tracks: a Betting Guide

The 2019 Formula One season is the 70th running of the Formula One World Championship.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is the reigning champion, after defeating Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in 2018.

Mercedes have dominated the sport in recent years, and look set to do so again in 2019. Ferrari and Red Bull are the two main challengers, with Vettel, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly hoping to grab wins this season.

New rules for 2019 include revised bodywork, including tighter restrictions on front wings, plus a greater DRS effect in order to enhance the chances of overtaking.

Ferrari were quickest in pre-season testing, but have failed to find the same speed in the early races, with Mercedes claiming a record five straight 1-2s at the start of the season.

F1 2019 Race Schedule

The 2019 Formula One season will take place across 21 races around the world.

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, before team-mate Lewis Hamilton won the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Hamilton won again to take victory at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, before Bottas bounced back to claim his second win of the season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.

Hamilton then took his third win of 2019 at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona to continue Mercedes’ perfect start to the year.

Spanish Grand Prix

Barcelona, 10-12 May

Last season’s winner: Lewis Hamilton

Home of pre-season testing, teams know the Barcelona circuit inside out. Cars with good aerodynamic downforce and stability will go well here.

The circuit is also heavy on tyre wear, so cars and drivers who are kinder on their tyres will be rewarded. And with many fast corners, commitment and bravery are key attributes too.

Lewis Hamilton has enjoyed racing at Barcelona in recent years, winning the race four times since 2014.

Kimi Raikkonen has won this race twice, doing so in 2005 for McLaren and 2008 for Ferrari. Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver at the Spanish Grand Prix, claiming six wins between 1995 and 2004.

Monaco Grand Prix

Monte Carlo, 23, 25-26 May

Last season’s winner: Daniel Ricciardo

The most iconic circuit in the world, the Monaco Grand Prix suits a careful, meticulous driver at the top of their game.

The narrow streets mean accuracy and precision are the keys to success. Daniel Ricciardo won in 2018, while Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are each two-time winners in Monaco.

Ayrton Senna is the most successful driver at the Monaco Grand Prix, winning six times between 1987 and 1993. Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher are five-time winners.

Canadian Grand Prix

Montreal, 7-9 June

Last season’s winner: Sebastian Vettel

The Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal is a favourite with drivers and fans alike. Supporters usually get to see great racing due to the low-grip nature and close confines of the street circuit.

That low grip ensures that only the most talented drivers will succeed in Canada. Lewis Hamilton is a Montreal specialist. He won his first Grand Prix there in 2007, and has won the race six times in total.

The most successful driver in the Canadian Grand Prix is Michael Schumacher, who took seven wins at the North American venue between 1994 and 2004.

French Grand Prix

Le Castellet, 21-23 June

Last season’s winner: Lewis Hamilton

After a 10-year absence, the French Grand Prix returned in 2018 at the Le Castellet circuit near Marseille.

With a number of long, sweeping turns, the circuit favours drivers who boast total commitment and bravery. Getting traction onto the track’s long straights is key too, so drivers mustn’t overcommit on the throttle or they will lose time.

Lewis Hamilton won the 2018 French Grand Prix, after Sebastian Vettel collided with Valtteri Bottas a turn one.

Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver at the French Grand Prix, with eight wins between 1994 and 2006. Alain Prost has six wins, with Juan Manuel Fangio and Nigel Mansell on four.

Austrian Grand Prix

Spielberg, 28-30 June

Last season’s winner: Max Verstappen

The Austrian Grand Prix, held at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg is based in the Styrian Mountains, and provides one of the most spectacular backdrops of the season.

And at a little more than 2.6 miles, it’s one of the shortest and quickest on the calendar.A lap can take as little as 63 seconds, leaving little room for error.

With tight corners leading onto long straights, the venue puts a premium on braking ability and corner control. Drivers who can brake later and accelerate earlier are set for a good lap-time.

French four-time World Champion Alain Prost is the most successful driver at the Austrian Grand Prix, winning in 1983, 1985 and 1986. No current driver has won the race more than once, with Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen each one-time victors.

British Grand Prix

Silverstone, 12-14 July

Last season’s winner: Sebastian Vettel

The British Grand Prix is one of the most famous and historic races of the year. It’s held at the fast and flowing Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire.

Boasting some of the fastest corners in the world, drivers require ultimate commitment and bravery in order to achieve a result at Silverstone. Cars must be aerodynamically efficient too, in order to produce as much downforce as possible.

Jim Clark won the British Grand Prix five times in the 1960s, while Alain Prost joined the five-time club in 1993.

But both of those men won the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, meaning Lewis Hamilton is the only five-time winner whose victories have all come at Silverstone.

German Grand Prix

Hockenheim, 26-28 July

Last season’s winner: Lewis Hamilton

The German Grand Prix at Hockenheim used to be a four-mile adventure into the forests. The circuit was changed in 2002 and now provides some of the best racing of the season.

Good top speed is still required, but it must be balanced by a series of difficult medium-speed corners. Precision is key with gravel traps lurking around the circuit.

Lewis Hamilton collected his fourth German Grand Prix win in 2018, the Englishman is joined by Michael Schumacher on four wins in Germany.

Hungarian Grand Prix

Budapest, 2-4 August

Last season’s winner: Lewis Hamilton

The Hungarian Grand Prix has been on the calendar since 1986, and has thrown up some classic races over the years.

Known as ‘Monaco without the barriers’ the Budapest circuit is a slow and twisty challenge with some 14 turns inside 2.7 miles.

Precision and balancing corner speed are two of the key attributes needed in order to win in Hungary.

Lewis Hamilton has thrived at the venue, winning six times in total including in his debut year in 2007 and last season.

Michael Schumacher has three wins in Hungary, with Sebastian Vettel a two-time winner.

Belgian Grand Prix

Spa-Francorchamps, 30 August-1 September

Last season’s winner: Sebastian Vettel

Along with the Monaco, British and Italian Grand Prix, the Belgian event is one of the classic and most-loved races in Formula One.

The daunting sweeps of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in the Ardennes forest require total focus and commitment. Corners such as Eau Rouge and Pouhon can’t be taken lightly.

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have each won this race three times, but neither driver has yet matched Kimi Raikkonen’s four victories as the most successful current driver.

Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver of all-time with six Belgian Grand Prix wins, ahead of Ayrton Senna on five.

Italian Grand Prix

Monza, 6-8 September

Last season’s winner: Lewis Hamilton

The Monza circuit near Milan holds legendary status in the F1 world. It’s held races as far back as 1921, and has held a race in every Formula One season bar 1980.

Featuring flat out straights, horsepower is the name of the game at Monza. But with fearsome curves such as the Lesmo bends, the Ascari chicane and the Parabolica, those who thrive in high-speed corners have the edge.

Lewis Hamilton denied the Tifosi a home victory in 2018. The Englishman has won the Italian Grand Prix five times, putting him level as the race’s most successful driver alongside Michael Schumacher.

Singapore Grand Prix

Marina Bay, 20-22 September

Last season’s winner: Lewis Hamilton

The Singapore Grand Prix has only been on the Formula One calendar for 11 years, but has quickly become a favourite among drivers and fans.

The sport’s first ever night race, drivers race around the streets of the city’s Marina Bay.

The race almost always lasts the maximum two hours, and with the high humidity, driver fitness is tested to the max. The race requires huge amounts of mental focus, with walls looming at every turn.

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have dominated this event, with both drivers winning the race four times. Fernando Alonso is the only other driver to have won the Singapore Grand Prix, doing so in 2008 and 2010.

Russian Grand Prix

Sochi, 27-29 September

Last season’s winner: Lewis Hamilton

The Russian Grand Prix has been on the calendar for five years now, since the first race in 2014.

Based around the venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics, it’s a tricky circuit with fast sweeping bends, but it’s one which offers up low grip.

Mercedes have won every Russian Grand Prix so far. Lewis Hamilton won in 2014 and 2015, with Nico Rosberg prevailing a year later. Valtteri Bottas won his first ever Grand Prix in 2017, before Hamilton claimed his third win in Russia last season.

Japanese Grand Prix

Suzuka, 11-13 October

Last season’s winner: Lewis Hamilton

Much like Silverstone, the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka is one of the ultimate tests of a driver’s talent.

Hooking up the flowing esses section can make or break a qualifying lap. Then there’s the Degner turns and tricky spoon curve before the mighty 130r towards the end of the lap.

One lap of Suzuka requires drivers to be accurate, commited, brave and everything in between.

To negotiate all of that for a whole race distance is a daunting challenge, especially when there’s a championship on the line, as has happened several times over the years.

Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver at the Japanese Grand Prix with six wins. Of the current drivers, Lewis Hamilton has won the race five times, ahead of four-time winner Sebastian Vettel.

Mexican Grand Prix

Mexico City, 25-27 October

Last season’s winner: Max Verstappen

The Mexican Grand Prix has a long history with Formula One, but has only been on the calendar in it’s current guise since 2015.

With the middle section of the lap consisting of eight turns in quick succession, drivers with excellent throttle and break control can pick up plenty of laptime.

Mercedes won this race in both 2015 and 2016, but it’s Max Verstappen who has dominated in recent years, with victory in each of the last two seasons. Jim Clark is the most successful driver of all time in the Mexican Grand Prix, with three wins.

United States Grand Prix

Austin, 1-3 November

Last season’s winner: Kimi Raikkonen

Formula One has switched between many circuits in America, but the Circuit of the Americas in Texas is arguably the best of the lot.

Built with the aim of replicating the best corners in the world and putting them all on one track, the Austin venue requires huge levels of commitment through a high-speed opening sector.

Lewis Hamilton has used all of his talent in America to great effect. He’s won the American Grand Prix six times, including five of the seven races in Austin.

Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen are the only other drivers to win a Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.

Brazilian Grand Prix

Sao Paulo, 15-17 November

Last season’s winner: Lewis Hamilton

Nowhere does an atmosphere quite like the Brazilians in Sao Paulo, which is one of the reasons why the Brazilian Grand Prix is always among the best weekends of the season.

The 2.67 mile Interlagos circuit combines a mixture of high-power requirements with a twisting infield section. The high chance of rain also often mixes up proceedings.

It took Lewis Hamilton nine years before he grabbed his first Brazilian Grand Prix win in 2016. The Englishman followed it up with victory last year.

Alain Prost is the most successful driver in the Brazilian Grand Prix with six wins, although five of these came at the Jacarepagua circuit in Rio de Janeiro.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Yas Marina, 29 November-1 December

Last season’s winner: Lewis Hamilton

Along with Monaco and Singapore, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is one of the most glamorous races on the calendar.

Set around the Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, the race is nowadays the final Grand Prix of the season, taking place at sunset.

The circuit features two long straights and a number of slow-speed turns. Drivers who excel in low-speed cornering could find themselves at an advantage.

The race has been on the calendar for 10 years now, but only Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have ever won the Grand Prix more than once. Hamilton has done so four times, including in 2018, with Vettel a three-time winner.

2019 RESULTS

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Baku, 26-28 April

2019 result:

• Valtteri Bottas
• Lewis Hamilton
• Sebastian Vettel

Chinese Grand Prix

Shanghai, 12-14 April

2019 result:

• Lewis Hamilton
• Valtteri Bottas
• Sebastian Vettel

Bahrain Grand Prix

Sakhir, 29-31 March

2019 result:

• Lewis Hamilton
• Valtteri Bottas
• Charles Leclerc

Australian Grand Prix

Melbourne, 15-17 March

2019 result:

• Valtteri Bottas
• Lewis Hamilton
• Max Verstappen

Formula One attracts the best drivers and the biggest teams. It has spent nearly 70 years travelling around the globe’s greatest racing circuits.

New circuits are always lining up to join the Formula One calendar too. Both Vietnam and the Netherlands are set to join in 2020, with talk of another race in America, and a Grand Prix in Africa.