Portuguese Grand Prix betting tips and pre-practice F1 predictions

Free F1 tips, best bets and analysis for the Formula 1 Portuguese Grand Prix weekend at Portimao.

Where to watch

Practice one & two, Sky Sports F1, 11.30am & 3pm Friday

Best bet

Red Bull double podium finish
1pt 11-8 Hills

Preview

Lewis Hamilton has enjoyed his strongest ever start to a Formula One season, yet he leads Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the standings by a single point.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton has never won both the opening two races of a season.

He picked up an extra point for setting fastest lap at Imola last time, and that, added to his 43 points for winning in Bahrain and finishing second at Imola, represents his best tally after two races.

Hamilton is coping well under pressure, but there is unlikely to be any let-up at this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix.

Mercedes scored a 1-2 finish at Portimao last year, on the circuit’s first appearance on the calendar, with Verstappen third.

However, the ultra-modern Algarve facility could play to the strengths of the Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Mexican Perez had an uncharacteristically error-filled race at Imola after qualifying second, ahead of Verstappen.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has stated he believed the Red Bulls had the potential to lock out the front row last time, and with the twistier Portimao circuit likely to suit them better, the Milton Keynes-based team could be hard to catch.

But there remains some scepticism over just how much Mercedes – the dominant team of the last seven years – are really struggling.

McLaren, and particularly Lando Norris, have shone in the early part of the season.

Norris finished third at Imola after a storming drive, and the team will be looking forward to this weekend with Carlos Sainz (now with Ferrari) having led for them early in the race in Portugal last season.

Inclement weather played a part in that achievement, and the forecast for this week is warm and sunny, so a more conventional race can be expected.

Perez has yet to finish on the podium for Red Bull, but it surely only a matter of time.

It’s odds-against both cars ending up in the top three on Sunday, and it could be worth snapping up that price early.

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