2023 Spanish Grand Prix Predictions, Formula 1 Odds
A win would increase Verstappen’s lead atop the Formula 1 Drivers Standings at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen is perched as massive -304 chalk on the Spanish Grand Prix odds, and with good reason. The two-time defending champion extended what has been a dream season to date with a dominating victory at last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, which has featured top two finishes in all six races to date including four victories.
However, there are still plenty of intriguing betting options further down the odds board heading into the action at Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya.
Spanish Grand Prix Race Time, Weather Forecast
Lights out at the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix is scheduled for 9:00am ET on Sunday morning. Weather could become a factor as the weekend progresses. Sun and comfortable spring temperatures are expected for practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday, but showers have crept into the forecast at race time.
Homecoming for Sainz, Alonso
This weekend marks a homecoming for the two Spanish drivers on the F1 circuit this season. However, countrymen Carlos Sainz Jr. and Fernando Alonso return home heading in opposite directions.
Last week’s second-place finish in Monaco marked Alonso’s best performance in almost a decade and extended his run of six straight podium appearances so far this season. Sainz has turned in respectable results this season, picking up points in five of six outings including four top six finishes. But he and Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc have struggled to keep pace with Red Bull and Mercedes, and have also been beset by on-track mishaps and questionable team decision making.
Ferrari’s Pace Problems Compounded by Mercedes Upgrades
Pegged as a +4200 bet this weekend, Sainz looks to build on a fourth-place finish in this race a year ago, when he also finished third in qualifying. But adding to the frustrations of Ferrari’s slow start are the great expectations awaiting Mercedes as they put their recent upgrades to a real test.
Lewis Hamilton has won this race six times since 2014 and, if you believe the hype, is poised to challenge Verstappen and Sergio Perez this weekend. While that remains to be seen, the recent upgrades should help put some breathing room between the Silver Arrows and Ferrari on the track and in F1 season matchup betting. Mercedes has vaulted to a short -303 bet to outpace Ferrari in this season’s F1 Constructors Standings, where they already hold a 119-90 advantage, after opening the campaign sporting positive odds in that matchup.
Accordingly, the new and improved Mercedes remain a solid -111 bet to produce a third straight double top six finish on Sunday morning.
Can Leclerc Break Through in Monaco?
Were it not for a miscalculation in strategy as rain approached in Monte Carlo last week, Fernando Alonso may have been returning home this weekend celebrating his first F1 win in a decade. The rapidly change weather conditions forced Alonso to make two tire changes in as many laps, ending any hope over taking last weekend’s eventual winner Max Verstappen.
But given the storybook nature of Alonso’s season, it would only be fitting for the 41-year-old Spaniard to claim victory on Sunday at the scene of his most recent win at the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.
Alonso has enjoyed little success in Barcelona since that win, finishing in the points just once in his past five appearances. But with a ride that is proving to be technically sound and suited to Alonso’s driving style, the two-time F1 champion’s consistency is matched only by Verstappen.
In addition to a value wager on him to take the checkered flag, Alonso is a solid -189 bet to keep his podium streak alive. He also enters the weekend sporting intriguing +700 odds to finish the season atop the standings without Verstappen.
Predictions: Fernando Alonso to win (+1000); Mercedes double top six (-111)
