2022 Austrian Grand Prix Prediction, Formula 1 Odds
Max Verstappen will be aiming to extend his recent dominance at the Austrian Grand Prix, when he hits the track at Red Bull Ring on Sunday as a strong -129 favourite to win on the Formula 1 odds.
Verstappen was forced to settle for a seventh-place finish in last weekend’s British Grand Prix after hitting debris from an earlier collision that caused damage to his car. However, the reigning F1 champion has been a force at the Austrian Grand Prix, where he has taken home the checkered flag in three of the past four years. Frustrated after yet again being hampered by questionable team orders while powering to a fourth-place finish in Britain, Charles Leclerc has remained resilient at the sportsbooks, and is +269 to claim his third victory of the season. Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz looks to build on his first career F1 win, and sits alongside Verstappen’s Rec Bull teammate Sergio Perez, with +900 odds.
Austrian Grand Prix Race Time, Weather Forecast
The 2022 Austrian Grand prix is set to get underway at 9:00 a.m. ET on Sunday morning at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Styria, Austria. Measuring 4.318 kilometres in length, the track at Red Bull Ring features a trio of lengthy straightaways and three DRS detection zones. Mostly sunny skies and cool temperatures are expected over the weekend, with the temperature at race time not expected to exceed 20 degrees Celsius.
Verstappen Poised to Pad Lead in Standings
While Verstappen saw his lead atop the F1 Drivers Standings diminished by last weekend’s seventh-place finish, he is well positioned to make up that ground, and more, in Austria. Currently enjoying a 34-point lead over teammate Perez, Verstappen will be gunning for his fourth victory in five appearances at the Austrian Grand Prix after storming to victory at least year’s edition of this race by a wide 17.973-second margin.
In addition to his impressive track record at Red Bull Ring, Verstappen is also likely to benefit from the sprint qualifying format that will be used this weekend. The 24-year-old rolled to the pole position in the only other qualifying sprint so far this season at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. And considering the exceptional pace he has maintained this season, he is the man to beat on the speedy track at Red Bull Ring as a high-value +140 bet.
After earning Driver of the Day honours last week for his impressive run from the back of the pack to second place, Perez should not be overlooked by sports bettors. “Checo” has finished no better than sixth at this event, but like Verstappen, he enjoys a clear edge in pace on a track that features such lengthy straightaways. Accordingly, courageous sports bettors should not be discouraged from getting in on his +900 odds to claim his second win of the season, or the +100 odds of both Red Bull drivers reaching the podium.
Changing of Guard at Ferrari?
After being hung out to dry by Ferrari, which failed to take advantage of a safety car to give Leclerc a much needed tire change, the Monte Carlo native missed the podium last weekend for the sixth time in seven races. The fallout from post-race drama involving Leclerc and Ferrari team bosses has sparked speculation about Leclerc’s current role and future with the Italian automaker. The drama has yet to impact Leclerc on the F1 odds, where he remains Verstappen’s closest rival. However, Ferrari’s inexplicable mistreatment of their young budding star makes it tough to build the courage to back him with a bet.
Conversely, Sainz is coming off the best race of his career. In addition to claiming the checkered flag, Sainz also seized the pole at Silverstone, putting to rest concerns about his ability to properly handle his powerful Ferrari ride. Keeping pace with the Red Bulls on their home track may be too much to expect from Sainz, but the talented Spaniard sports in intriguing +250 odds to top Leclerc in qualifying, and +195 odds to finish ahead of him on race day.
Prediction: Red Bull double podium finish (+100); Carlos Sainz finish ahead of Charles Leclerc (+195)