Steve Starr
- Max Verstappen is a heavy -350 favorite to repeat as F1 World Drivers’ Champion
- Charles Leclerc (+300) won the Austrian Grand Prix after missing the podium five straight times
- The Formula One season resumes on Sunday, July 24 with the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard Circuit in Le Castellet
When we last checked the 2022 Formula 1 Drivers World Championship futures in early May, Max Verstappen was in a virtual dead heat with Charles Leclerc. However, the Dutchman reeled off five victories in six races to bolster his repeat bid. Following a P7 in Britain and a second-place finish in Austria, the Red Bull racer now maintains a commanding 34-point edge in the drivers’ standings.
A checkered flag in Red Bull Ring has made Leclerc a strong betting pick for the French Grand Prix on July 24, but can he catch Verstappen in the F1 title chase? Before we examine the latest odds, here’s where you can find the top betting sites for Formula 1 in 2022.
2022 Drivers World Championship
 |  |
|
| Max Verstappen | -350 | -350 |
| Charles Leclerc | +300 | +300 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +4000 | +4000 |
| George Russell | +5000 | +5000 |
| Sergio Perez | +6600 | +6600 |
| Carlos Sainz | +8000 | +4000 |
Can Verstappen be caught?
Betting Max Verstappen at -350 means laying $350 down to win a $100. At the midway point of the season, the 24-year-old captured more than half (six) of the season’s 11 events. And while Ferrari drivers have claimed victory in the past two races, the Dutchman still has a 34-point advantage in the drivers’ standings heading into next Sunday’s French GP, where he is the reigning champion.
So, what if anything can derail Verstappen from his second-straight drivers’ title?
.@MBrundleF1 suggests that Max Verstappen has been battling fairly against Ferrari this season. 💬🏎️ pic.twitter.com/31kg1q8ECg
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 13, 2022
F1’s budget cap no longer a problem
Formula One introduced a new budget cap this year to improve competition in a sport where richer teams like Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull have a huge edge. While there was much speculation earlier in the season about the cap impeding Red Bull’s ability to improve their car, that no longer seems to be an issue.
An F1 Commission actually increased the budget cap by 3.1 percent just days ago to fight rising inflation. And, despite the flurry of new rules in 2022, the sport remains every bit as predictable as ever with only Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes able to compete.
Will Leclerc make a run?
While seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (+4000) has somewhat salvaged his disaster of a season with three-straight podiums, only Charles Leclerc (+300) can overtake Verstappen in the drivers’ standings. After not reaching podium in five consecutive races, the Monegasque driver finally ended his ugly streak in Austria with his third victory of the year, and fifth of his career.
Leclerc looked dominant early in the season, winning two of the first three races, and his Ferrari team has been running fast all year, claiming poles in seven of 11 races this year. The problem, of course, is consistency with the Scuderia stumbling all over themselves in the strategy department.
⚡️ Austria's @Aramco Power Rankings ⚡️@Charles_Leclerc and @SchumacherMick hit the heights of 9️⃣! #AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/TmDmQVnMAi
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 13, 2022
Best Bet
While there’s still half a season to go, Max Verstappen is destined to repeat as Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion. However, the -350 odds are anything but ideal and you’ll have to wait until mid-November to cash out at the conclusion of the F1 season.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
