This weekend’s British Grand Prix will be an historic one, as it will be the first to feature the F1 Sprint, but will that have an effect on which driver emerges on top come the culmination of the weekend?
The newly-introduced format will be implemented at three races during the 2021 season – beginning at Silverstone this weekend – with the idea being to add extra excitement to the tried and trusted formula.
The F1 Sprint will effectively be a mini race run over 100km on Saturday afternoon, with the finishing order of the Sprint deciding where each driver will start on the grid for Sunday’s race.
Qualifying will also still take place, but that has been moved to Friday and will be used to decide the grid placings for the Sprint, while there will now only be two Practice sessions compared to the usual three.
The new format should certainly provide plenty of intrigue, but will Red Bull’s recent dominance be broken as a result?
Verstappen to Continue Hot Streak
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is priced at 1/4 to win his first world title this year and he has certainly been the dominant force on the grid over recent months, winning each of the last three GPs to open up a 32-point lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings.
The 23-year-old also emerged triumphant the last time a GP was held at Silverstone, winning the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at the track back in August.
Another victory appears to be on the cards this weekend, although the British GP is not one that has favoured Red Bull in the past, as it is nine years since Mark Webber claimed the team’s last victory in this iconic race.
Mercedes Woes to Continue
Mercedes have won the Constructors’ Championship in each of the last seven years, usually at a canter, but they are priced at 7/2 to secure an eighth successive title this year.
The Silver Arrows started the season well, winning three of the opening four races, but they have not recorded a victory since Lewis Hamilton’s success at the Spanish Grand Prix in May, with Red Bull having triumphed in the five subsequent races.
Having said that, Hamilton’s impressive record on his home track at Silverstone cannot be underestimated, as he has won six of the last seven editions of the British Grand Prix.
The reigning world champion is priced at 3/1 to retain his Drivers’ title this year, but he appears to be fighting a losing battle on that front, while a repeat of his recent dominance of the British Grand Prix could also come to an end this weekend.
Usual Suspects to Battle for Podium Placings
Red Bull and Mercedes are likely to be the dominant forces this weekend, with Verstappen and Hamilton expected to battle it out for the top-two positions.
However, the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez may fancy his chances of claiming a second race victory of the season, following on from his success at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when Verstappen and Hamilton were both forced to retire late on.
Perez currently sits third in the Drivers’ Championship standings and he is priced at 66/1 to go on and claim his first world title, but another race victory may be beyond him this weekend, as he has never finished higher than sixth in the British GP.
The second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas has shown glimpses of a return to form over recent weeks, following back-to-back podium placings at the Styrian and Austrian GP’s.
The Finn is a three-time runner up at Silverstone, but he may have to go one better if he is to stand any chance of mounting a serious title challenge this season, as he is currently priced at 100/1 to win a first Drivers’ Championship.
*All odds correct at time of writing