F1 Season Return: Max vs Lewis
We are a mere whisker away from lights-out on the 2022 season in Bahrain, and Bodog’s sportsbook is already feeling the octane burning through our proverbial veins. F1 is back, with practice kicking in on March 18, and things are looking very different this season: entirely new cars, new liveries, and some new faces.
While the track might be showing off some shiny new wheels, it will also bear the months-long memory of the two main contenders – either elated or soul-crushing – from the shock of Abu Dhabi’s December championship last year. After seven seasons of F1 dominance, Lewis Hamilton lost his title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Their pair had already collided on several occasions, with Max ending up in hospital after coming together at Silverstone last July. It feels like F1 history will mark this weekend with its own chapter, and we’re there to see the story play out in real time.
The Controversy
With emotions running high, it all came to a head in the final race. After claiming pole position, Max was narrowly passed by a flying Lewis at the start, taking control of the race. But a late safety car and a controversial restart decision saw Max, on fresh tyres, overtake his rival on the last lap to claim his maiden World Drivers’ Championship.
We’re holding out for that same intensity on the Bahrain asphalt, with the hope that a few other drivers throw their hat into the mix. And underdogs could very well rise to steal the show on Sunday at the Bahrain International Circuit – because with new rules and countless other variables, change will no doubt be the theme of the season, making F1 betting as exciting as it gets.
Can Max Repeat?
Max Verstappen was over the moon when he crossed the finishing line in Abu Dhabi back in December. He immediately declared his undying love for Red Bull, as well as for his team (openly pleading with them to remain loyal for the next ten or fifteen years).
The first title is always the hardest, so with the pressure off and a point proven, Max should be a lot more relaxed this season, naturally making him an even bigger threat to his.
However, the new rules for 2022 mean that all the cars have, more or less, been completely reset. They look nothing like last year’s machines, and they generate their downforce using a very different concept.
Red Bull has a new trick up its sleeve, though. The company’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey is one of the smartest guys in the sport and has designed a car that looks very punchy. After the team unveiled a dummy car in February, it arrived in Barcelona for the first test with a very aggressive design that turned many heads.
They took it even further in the Bahrain test and there were a lot of smiles in the garage when Sergio Perez set the fastest lap immediately after leaving the garage.
If the Red Bull is quick like we think it is, Max is definitely in with a shot for his second title this season, and Bodog has him as the very slight favourite with F1 odds of +200.
Lewis’s Revenge
Lewis Hamilton withdrew from the public eye in the wake of his crushing last-lap defeat in Abu Dhabi in December 2021. He reemerged only on February 20 for the launch of his new Mercedes W13 car, but fans were relieved to find him looking casually upbeat and refreshed, and decidedly ready to take on the challenge of winning a record eighth world title,
Can he do it? He’s shown the world seven times that he can, so there’s no doubt in his ability. Bodog’s F1 odds, listed at +225, reflect this record of success, and place Lewis as a soft underdog with only five points in it. Lewis is hungry enough for the win; and certainly he has plenty of motivation beyond simply proving a point.
Like Red Bull, Mercedes have F1 innovation at the fore, and they’ve more than proven that they can design outstanding machines that perform easily to standard. Could the W13 fail to meet the new F1 standards?
Unlikely for a player of that calibre, especially given that they arrived for the Bahrain test with a vehicle that appears to have no side pods, leaving onlookers impressed and more than a little intrigued. And as Lewis said himself, his team “don’t make mistakes”.
However, there have been some signs that Mercedes might be dealing with a few issues behind the scenes, with the release of video footage showing George Russell bouncing along the straight in Bahrain due to excessive “porpoising”, or in descriptive terms, when the car rocks up and down at high speed.
The Mercedes team don’t appear overly concerned though, and we can take from that what we want.
Other Contenders
2022 may not be a straight fight between Max and Lewis. In fact, we could see a three-way, four-way, or perhaps an even more-way battle for the championship.
Ferrari – Charles Lecler (+550) and Carlos Sainz (+750)
Behold the Ferrari: as exquisitely sculpted as any of their models, presenting with intimidatingly strong good looks, and fit for purpose, both in terms of speed and reliability. The lucky drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, could find themselves at the front of the grid too, with that sort of equipment at their fingertips. In fact, according to some in the paddock, the Italian stallion could out-perform Mercedes at the first race.
But with two drivers at the helm, there’s always the risk that the weaker driver could prove a liability for the stronger driver on the day, with their collective average handing the mantle to another team.
Mercedes – George Russell (+1000)
In a similar vein, George Russell is believed to be a stronger driver than the man he replaced at Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas. While he has his work cut out trying to beat a seven-time champion in a team that he’s represented for eight years, the possibility, however slim, can’t be ruled out – at least not yet.
McLaren – Lando Norris (+2800)
The McLaren tribe is looking strong after testing, though the team struggled with overheated brakes in Bahrain. If they can steer clear of these sorts of disasters, then Lando Norris could be another contender for the championship. The Brit managed three third place finishes and a second place in 2021, so with a strong, durable car, he could shift gears and find himself at the front of the field alongside the champs.
With so many unknowns set to be revealed, and with two hard rivals set to prove themselves once more, this is a race you won’t want to miss. The potential for new contenders to surprise the established players leaves the F1 odds on some underdogs looking mighty attractive right now. Snap them up before they soften by submitting your slips early at Bodog, so you can simply strap in for what promises to be a thrilling Formula 1 race for the ages.