2022 Dutch Grand Prix Prediction, Formula 1 Odds
Max Verstappen comes into the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix as a strong -198 favourite to win on the Formula 1 odds. Verstappen returns to his adopted homeland on a high after powering to an impressive victory in last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, which leaves him sporting a massive lead atop the F1 Drivers Standings, 93 points up on his nearest rival, Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
Despite turning in yet another disappointing performance in Belgium, Charles Leclerc travels to Holland sitting second to Verstappen with +351 odds for Sunday’s race, while his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. rounds out the top of the odds board at +900.
Belgian Grand Prix Race Time, Weather Forecast
Lights out at the 2022 Dutch Grand is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET on Sunday morning at Circuit Zandvoort. Famous for its roller coaster-like design that winds through the regions famous sands, Circuit Zandvoort measures 4.259 kilometres in length and features two DRS detection zones. While mainly sunny skies and mild temperatures are expected for Friday’s practice and Saturday’s qualifying sessions, the possibility of rain remains in the forecast for race time on Sunday.
Verstappen has Tough Act to Follow
After turning in a flawless performance last weekend in Belgium, Verstappen will have a tough act to follow in his Dutch homecoming. Forced to start from the back of the grid in the No. 14 spot for exceeding his quota of power unit elements, Verstappen needed just 12 laps to seize the lead, and never looked back, eventually claiming the checkered flag almost 18 seconds ahead of Perez.
With nine wins on the season, including each of the past three races, Verstappen has raised his game to a whole new level, and in the process taken the suspense out of the race for this year’s F1 title, which he now leads as massive -5000 chalk. Add to that his dominating run to victory at Zandvoort a year ago in the first running of a Dutch Grand Prix since 1985, and it becomes increasingly difficult to back any other driver in the odds to win this year’s edition of the race.
Perez, Sainz, Best Bets to reach Podium
Considering the current absence of any real threats to Verstappen’s dominance, particularly on a track like Zandvoort, it is worth shifting the focus to who will join him on the podium. And the two best value bets to consider have to be Perez and Carlos, who sport -152 and -111 odds respectively.
Having already exceeded his point total from all of last year, Perez is enjoying the best season of his career. Checo has racked up seven podium finishes including his impressive second-place run last week in Belgium, and is also coming off a steady qualifying performance that earned him a spot in the front row last weekend.
Last week’s race was somewhat of a disappointment for Sainz, who squandered his pole position with a shaky start, before ultimately settling for a third-place finish. Twice overtaken by Verstappen in last week’s race, it was painfully clear that Sainz’ Ferrari did not have the pace to compete with the Red Bulls.
However, the talented Spaniard has clearly established himself as a more consistent and reliable driver than his Ferrari teammate Leclerc, finishing top five in each of the 10 races he has completed this season.
Prediction: Max Verstappen to win (-198); Carlos Sainz podium finish (-111)