Kimi 7-2 for win in Spain after Hamilton loses pole

LEWIS HAMILTON was the fastest qualifier for the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday but will start the first European race of the season on Sunday from the pit lane after the stewards punished him for not completing his in-lap.

So Kimi Raikkonen, who finished qualifying with the fifth quickest time, is now a 7-2 favourite with BetVictor for success in Barcelona with Fernando Alonso next in the betting at 4-1 and Sebastian Vettel, back-to-back champion and current drivers title standings leader, at 6-1, again with BetVictor.

Alonso, who took the chequered flag in Malaysia, is third on the grid and Vettel, victorious in Bahrain three weeks ago, is eighth.

Romain Grosjean, fourth fastest, is a standout 15-2 with BetVictor to win the race and then alongside Australia Jenson Button at a general 10-1 in the betting is the surprise package of the two days so far Pastor Maldonado.

Hamilton is now 25-1 to triumph in a race for the first time this season.

Read Sunday's Racing Post for Phil Agius's Spanish Grand Prix betting preview and full news, prices and stats package