Formula 1: Betting on Max Verstappen just became foolish

Betting on Max Verstappen to win the 2023 Formula 1 world championship may seem like easy money, but at this point, it’s counterproductive.

Two-time reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen put on a dominant display over the weekend at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, topping the speed chart in each of the three free practice sessions before taking the pole position and leading all 66 laps of Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix at the 16-turn, 2.892-mile (4.654-kilometer) road course.

Verstappen, who now has 40 career victories, also secured the race’s fastest lap, netting him his third career Grand Slam to move him into a ninth place tie on the all-time Grand Slams list.

The sixth winningest driver in Formula 1 history is one of only three drivers to have secured at least one Grand Slam in three consecutive seasons.

Verstappen hasn’t finished lower than second place in the first seven races of the 2023 season, and he has won five of those seven races. Teammate Sergio Perez, the next highest driver in the standings, has just four top two finishes, and he hasn’t finished on the podium in either one of the two most recent events.

The two-time reigning world champion has already opened up a 53-point lead in the standings over his teammate. While there are still 15 races remaining on the 22-race schedule, Verstappen seems like a safe bet to win the world championship.

But because of how big of a favorite Max Verstappen is, betting on the Formula 1 world championship is counterproductive at this point.

Not only would it seem silly to bet on somebody to beat Verstappen, given the roll he has been on since the start of the 2022 season, but it would also be silly to bet on Verstappen.

At FanDuel Sportsbook, Verstappen is listed as a -4000 favorite to win a third consecutive world championship this season.

This means that if you want to win $100 on the 25-year-old Dutchman winning the title, you’d have to set aside $4,000 for the next several months until he mathematically secures it (assuming he does).

You would literally be better off putting $4,000 in a savings account, given how high interest and APY rates are these days. Let’s face it; there is still technically a chance that Verstappen doesn’t win the title. So just play it safe and “win” an extra $100 anyway.

Of course, there are still several other betting markets to take a look at on FanDuel Sportsbook, betting markets in which there is still incredible value.

Those markets include individual race odds for wins, podium finishes, top six finishes, and points finishes. There are also some interesting odds listed for teammate matchups.

Odds and availability subject to change. Sign up with FanDuel to bet now and take advantage of their current special promotion!

The Canadian Grand Prix is the next race on the 2023 Formula 1 schedule, and it is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 18. ABC is set to broadcast the race live from Circuit Gilles Villeneuve beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET. Max Verstappen is the reigning race winner. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss it!