Formula 1: Uncharacteristic shift made after Baku race
By Asher Fair
Max Verstappen is still the favorite to win the 2023 Formula 1 world championship, but he is less of a favorite now than he was before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
For the second time in the last three races, Sergio Perez led a Red Bull 1-2 on Sunday at Baku City Circuit, securing his second win of the 2023 Formula 1 season to make himself the first ever two-time winner of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
His win in Sunday’s 51-lap race around the 20-turn, 3.73-mile (6.003-kilometer) temporary Baku, Azerbaijan street circuit, coupled with his win in Saturday’s 17-lap standalone sprint race, allowed him to more than halve the gap to teammate and two-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen in the driver standings. It is now just a six-point margin.
Both drivers have two wins this year, with Verstappen maintaining a six-point edge due to having one additional runner-up finish, compared to Perez’s fifth place finish in Melbourne.
Verstappen has maintained his status as the favorite to win this year’s world championship, but the odds have moved in an unfavorable direction for the 25-year-old Dutchman.
Entering Sunday’s race, he was a -750 favorite (bet $750 to win $100) to win it, with Perez being listed as the second favorite at +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500).
Verstappen’s odds have shifted slightly to -700, meaning that he is still the clear favorite, even if less so, but Perez’s have shortened all the way to +650.
Here are the updates odds to win the 2023 Formula 1 world championship, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull: -700
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull: +650
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes: +2800
- Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin: +2800
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari: +5000
All 15 other drivers are listed at +20000.
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Perez is still looking for his first Red Bull win at a venue other than a street circuit, and with just four street circuits remaining on this year’s schedule, he will likely need several to be able to contend for the championship.
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The fifth of 23 races on the 2023 Formula 1 schedule is the Miami Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place this Sunday, May 7. The race is set to be broadcast live on ESPN from Miami International Autodrome beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now!