2022 Italian Grand Prix Prediction, Formula 1 Odds
A career-high fifth straight win is in reach for Max Verstappen, when he hits the track for this weekend’s running of the 2022 Italian Grand Prix as a massive -271 favourite to win on the F1 odds. Verstappen travels to Monza on the heels of an impressive victory at last week’s Dutch Grand Prix that now leaves him sporting a likely insurmountable 109-point lead atop the F1 Drivers Standings.
Hard-luck Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc follows as a +552 bet to earn his first win since claiming the checkered flag in Austria two months ago, while the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell round out the front of the pack at +900 and +1000, respectively.
Belgian Grand Prix Race Time, Weather Forecast
Lights out at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET on Sunday morning at Monza Circuit. One of the oldest race tracks in the world, Monza first hosted the Italian Grand Prix in 1922. It features steep banked curves and length straightaways, with two DRS zones. After enduring somewhat brisk weather in each of the past two races, drivers will enjoy warmer temperatures this weekend, which are expected to reach into the low 80s Fahrenheit under sunny skies on race day.
Tire Management Paying Off for Mercedes
With Verstappen maintaining a spectacular pace, and offering little value on the F1 odds, sports bettors are wise to search for better options further down the odds board. That search should begin the Mercedes teammates Hamilton and Russell. The duo have made up for the pace deficit with effective tire management that enabled them to run with a one-pit stop strategy last week in Holland.
While a safety car late in the race spoiled what could have been Hamilton’s first win of the season, the seven-time F1 champion has steadily rounded into form with podium finishes in five of seven outings. And given his experience at Monza, where he has posted five career victories, another run for the podium is in reach.
Russell’s insistence on switching to soft tires late in last week’s race proved to be the difference as he powered to a season-best second-place finish, and his sixth trip to the podium this season. The Englishman’s continued consistent driving once again make Mercedes a solid +250 bet to record their third double podium finish of the season.
What Will Go Wrong for Ferrari This Weekend?
The comedy of errors that have defined Ferrari’s 2022 season continued last week with a botched pit stop that doomed Carlos Sainz Jr. to a distant eighth-place finish. The costly error is the latest in a litany of driver and pit stop errors, inexplicable team orders, and technical problems that have derailed what started as a hopeful season for the Italian squad.
Despite those concerns, it is far too early to write off Sainz, who has arguably been the better driver for the Prancing Horse this season. The talented Spaniard finished top five in each of the 10 previous races he finished this season, and is worthy of a +200 value bet to return to the podium this week.
Can Bottas Regain Form
Ferrari drivers are not the only ones struggling to regain form. Valtteri Bottas has seen a hopeful first season at Alfa Romeo come undone with back-to-back retirements in Belgium and Holland. The former Mercedes driver has now failed to earn points in seven of eight races. However, like Hamilton, Bottas has enjoyed success at Monza, where he has finished top six on eight occasions, and offers value as a +175 bet to finish in the points this weekend.
Prediction: Mercedes double podium (+250); Carlos Sainz podium finish (+200); Valtteri Bottas points finish (+175)