With a new leader atop the Formula 1 driver standings, the massive shift in the world championship betting odds continued after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
While it wasn’t Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton who won last Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, the race turned out to be the second consecutive disastrous Formula 1 event for erstwhile championship leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
Heading into the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit three weekends ago, WynnBET listed Verstappen as the favorite to win the world championship at -500, with Hamilton listed as the second favorite, but all the way down at +350. Verstappen led Hamilton by 32 points in the driver standings following three straight victories.
After contact from Hamilton eliminated Verstappen from that race on the opening lap and Hamilton was able to overcome the 10-second penalty he was issued for causing the collision and win, Verstappen now led Hamilton by just eight points, but he was still listed as the favorite at -230 while Hamilton was listed as a +160 underdog.
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Now, for the second race in a row, contact from a Mercedes on the opening lap completely screwed Verstappen’s race.
After being hit by Valtteri Bottas going into the first turn of the 14-turn, 2.722-mile (4.381-kilometer) road course in Mogyoród, Hungary, the 23-year-old Dutchman was only able to rally to score one point and finish in ninth place in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Hamilton finished in third after rallying from his own team’s early miscue, giving him a six-point edge in the championship battle over Verstappen heading into the summer break.
And so, as you might expect, the odds have shifted further in Hamilton’s favor. But by how much?
Verstappen is now listed at -110 while Hamilton is listed as the slight favorite at -130. With just eight points separating them in the driver standings and Hamilton having retaken the lead, the stage is set for an exciting final 12 races of the 2021 season following the summer break.
Formula 1 action is scheduled to resume on Sunday, August 29 at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps with the Belgian Grand Prix, which is set to be broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET.