F1 returns for the opening race of the 2023 season in Bahrain, where Max Verstappen will look to become a world champion for the third consecutive season in his Red Bull car.
The Dutch driver set the record for most race wins in a season last year, winning 15 of the 23 races on the calendar, but that didn’t include the 2022 version of this race where a power issue with three laps remaining saw him retire from second position.
We’ll take a look ahead to the first race and see if we can provide you with some extra cash for the season with our best free F1 betting picks.
| F1 Bahrain GP |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | -120 | -125 | -119 |
| Charles Leclerc | +400 | +350 | +360 |
| Carlos Sainz | +800 | +800 | +940 |
| Sergio Perez | +850 | +850 | +850 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +850 | +850 | +860 |
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Below you’ll find a list of the drivers favored to win in Bahrain.
There is no doubt that Verstappen has been the best Formula 1 driver in the world over the last 12 months. The Red Bull star claimed 16 podium finishes in the last 19 races, showing his true dominance on the track as the two-time world champion.
Verstappen was under little pressure last season having accrued a huge lead at the top of the drivers’ standings, and this season will have a huge target on his back as he looks for a three-peat.
He will be incredibly motivated to get off to another great start, and where better to do that than on a track where he’s never won before.
He’s got the best car, is the best driver, and has shown countless times that he can overcome adversity and it seems like an easy bet. He’s our F1 betting pick for the race.
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It was not the best of seasons for Leclerc in 2022, as a good start soon went up in smoke in Japan and he ended up being just another number chasing Verstappen.
If the 25-year-old performs to the best of his ability and Ferrari picks the right strategy, he could certainly take the chequered flag if things fall his way, however last season saw some questionable decisions from both himself and the team and that must be rectified.
Leclerc won two of the first three races last year, including in Bahrain in the opening race of the calendar. It was a great showing, as he qualified in pole position and never lost it throughout the race, seeing off efforts from Verstappen and even his teammate Carlos Sainz at one point.
With a new season now set to begin, the Monegasque driver will be keen to get a similar start to the one he managed last year if he wants to push Verstappen all the way in the title race this time around.
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The seven-time world champion has won five times on this track before, more than anyone else in history, and this is a great chance for him to get back to winning ways.
Hamilton failed to win a single race in the 2022 season, the first time in his career that ever happened, and the car is said to still have issues that concern the Briton going into race weekend.
He finished in 6th place in the Drivers’ Championship standings last season, and his lack of victories mean the stunning stat that no driver has ever won a race beyond their 300th F1 appearance.
But if anyone can topple that statistic, it’s the man who will be in the argument for the greatest of all-time when his career is done, so it will be worth a bet at this price.
Sergio Perez was the team-mate of the world champion last year, and that’s about as far as his contribution went across the campaign.
He claimed two race wins over the season and finished third in the Drivers’ Championship, but showed his quality and talent whenever Verstappen and Red Bull needed him to step up.
He is a consistent driver who performs well and drives sensibly, making all the right decisions at the right times and being rewarded for it usually with podiums and points.
Last year in Bahrain his car gave out on him with just one lap to go after he had a fuel problem after qualifying in fourth place, so he’ll want to improve on that and help his team to a good start.
Red Bull have a brilliant chance to claim victory in Bahrain to kick-off their new season in the best way possible, but if anyone is going to get that joy it’ll be the reigning champion most likely. Perez is unlikely to get the victory, but a podium finish wouldn’t be the worst bet.
About the Author
A soccer and MMA fanatic who believes the eye test far outweighs statistics, apart from when it comes to betting. With experience writing for several years, Daniel is an avid sports fan but also enjoys obstacle courses, music and views from a height.
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