Saudi Arabian Grand Prix betting tips and F1 predictions: Lewis Hamilton on pole
Bottas looks a bet with question marks over Verstappen
Free Formula One tips, best bets and analysis for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Where to watch
Sky Sports F1, 5.30pm Sunday
Best bet
Valtteri Bottas without Lewis Hamilton
1pt 13-8 bet365
Race preview
The battle for the 2021 World Drivers' Championship shifted in favour of Lewis Hamilton in dramatic fashion on Saturday evening when title rival Max Verstappen crashed on his final qualifying lap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Mercedes man Hamilton and Verstappen's Red Bull had traded fastest laps in Q3 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit but the Dutchman looked on course to take pole position before disaster struck on the final turn.
As a result, Verstappen, who possesses an eight-point lead in the title battle with two races remaining, will start third on the grid behind Hamilton and his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
The Dutchman could claim the title today but, with Hamilton 4-9 to win in Saudi, the most absorbing battle in many years looks set to roll on to Abu Dhabi and the Yas Marina circuit next weekend.
Verstappen is fortunate in that he does not look to require a gearbox change which would result in a five-place grid penalty but that comes with risks attached and, at the very least, he faces a task in getting past Bottas before even entertaining the idea of having a crack at Hamilton.
The Briton, now a best-priced 4-6 to win an eighth Championship, should claim the race and Bottas looks decent value to follow him home given there are obvious dangers for something to go wrong with the Red Bull.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, a new high-speed track, offers plenty of potential for carnage and an experienced campaigner such as Daniel Ricciardo could secure a top-six finish from 11th on the grid. The Aussie is worth considering in that market.
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