Formula 1 championship odds see massive shift after Bahrain
By Asher Fair
The dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull has caused a very early shift in the betting odds for the 2023 Formula 1 world championship.
The 2023 Formula 1 season got underway on Sunday with an eventful Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit, but it was business as usual at the front of the field, with two-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen leading a 1-2 finish for reigning world constructor champions Red Bull.
Verstappen, whose 36 wins rank sixth on the all-time list, entered the year as the betting favorite to win a third consecutive championship.
After just one race, the 25-year-old Dutchman’s odds have already shifted from -175 (bet $175 to win $100) to -320 at FanDuel Sportsbook. This means that you need to bet nearly twice as much money on Verstappen to win $100 as you would have had to a few days ago.
There are just six other drivers who aren’t listed at +20000 (bet $100 to win $20,000) to win the 2023 Formula 1 world championship.
There is a three-way tied for second place at +1200 featuring Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
Alonso led that trio on Sunday with a third place finish after Leclerc was forced to retire from third — after running second during the early stages — with an engine issue. Hamilton finished in fifth.
Behind them, Mercedes’ George Russell is listed as the fifth favorite at +1900 following a seventh place finish. He is just ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, who is listed as the sixth favorite at +2100 following a runner-up finish.
The final driver listed with odds shorter than +20000 is Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. After a fourth place finish, his odds are +4000.
Next. All-time Formula 1 wins list. dark
After a weekend off this coming weekend, Formula 1 is scheduled to get back into action on Sunday, March 19 with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which is set to be broadcast live on ESPN from Jeddah Corniche Circuit beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET. Start a free trial of FuboTV and don’t miss round two of the 23-race season!