F1 Belgian Grand Prix predictions: Esteban Ocon could shine for Alpine
Max Verstappen favourite for ninth win of the season
Free F1 tips, best bets and analysis for the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps
Where to watch
Practice one & two Sky Sports F1, 1pm & 4pm Friday
Practice three & qualifying Sky Sports F1, midday & 3pm Saturday
Race Sky Sports F1, 2pm Sunday
Best bet
Esteban Ocon top-six finish
1pt 9-4 general
Preview
Formula 1 returns from its four-week summer break with the Belgian Grand Prix at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, and fans will be relieved to see a sunny forecast for Sunday.
Last year's race descended into farce as just two laps were completed - both behind the safety car - amid four hours of delays due to incessant heavy rain.
Back to this year, and Max Verstappen arrives with a huge 80-point lead in the championship following one of the best drives of his career to win in Hungary from tenth on the grid. The Red Bull driver is odds-on to pick up his ninth win of the season on Sunday.
Ferrari had been expected to dominate at the twisty Budapest circuit but again got the strategy all wrong. Early championship leader Charles Leclerc may tempt some punters at 4-1 back at the scene of his first F1 victory in 2019, but he is impossible to back with any confidence.
Mercedes continue to make ground on the big two teams and it will be interesting to see if they have made another step over the mid-season break. However, despite his five consecutive podium finishes, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton looks a little skinny in the win market.
Alpine are finding some consistency and one of Esteban Ocon or Fernando Alonso has finished in the top six in four of the last five races. Frenchman Ocon looks the better value to improve that statistic.
McLaren announced this week that Daniel Ricciardo will be leaving the team at the end of the season, one year before his contract expires. That is expected to pave the way for Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri to make his F1 debut next year.
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