Tony Reyes
We are only three races into the 2023 Formula 1 season and it feels like the Drivers Championship race is already over.
Max Verstappen has finished first or second in all 3 races this season and has a 15-point lead over teammate Sergio Perez.
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There hasn’t been much competition from the grid for Max or Sergio as their Red Bull team has won every race with ease.
Any issues they’ve faced have been purely mechanical and even when they’ve had these minor setbacks they’ve overcome them effortlessly.
Verstappen overcame the car’s driveshaft issue in Saudi Arabia and went from 15th to 2nd, while Perez started from the pit lane in Australia before finishing 5th.
STANDINGS
Three rounds in, here’s a reminder of how we’re looking… 👀#AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/56MXgYrhMe
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 3, 2023
Let’s break down these contenders and see if any driver can catch Max.
| Driver |  |  |  |
| Max Verstappen | -800 | -850 | -800 |
| Sergio Perez | +1400 | +1200 | +1600 |
| Fernando Alonso | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +2500 | +2200 | +2500 |
| Charles Leclerc | +5000 | +4500 | +5000 |
| George Russell | +5000 | +4500 | +5000 |
| Carlos Sainz | +10000 | +8000 | +12500 |
| Lance Stroll | +50000 | +50000 | +50000 |
Sergio Perez
Technically Sergio Perez has the second-best odds to win the Drivers Championship, but I would be shocked if Red Bull allowed this to happen. Perez in the second seat at Red Bull and would need a series of catastrophes to occur to Verstappen for this to happen.
Perez is a talented driver, but I wonder if he’s driving for Red Bull next season. There have been rumors circling since his contract expires in 2024. Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo is sitting in the wings waiting to recapture that second seat.
This doesn’t seem like a very smart bet, so I would advise against betting on Sergio Perez to win the Drivers Championship at +1600 odds.
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Fernando Alonso
The move to Aston Martin has rejuvenated the former world champion. He’s started the season with 3 straight podium finishes. He looks really comfortable in the Aston Martin car.
Tens of thousands of you voted 🙌
And the first-ever @cryptocom Overtake of the Month Award winner is… Fernando Alonso! 👏👏👏#F1 @alo_oficial pic.twitter.com/lPeSirMeYG
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 3, 2023
The Spaniard has championship experience and is finally in a car that matches his skillset. I like his chances much more than Sergio Perez.
Alonso has the third-best odds to win the driver’s championship at +2000 and is a fantastic value bet. I would recommend betting on Alonso to win the 2023 Drivers Championship +2000 odds.
Lewis Hamilton
Another former world champion who hasn’t looked quite right since the 2021 Abu Dhabi finale. Losing that championship on the final lap due to some questionable decision making by the FIA seemed to have rattled Hamilton.
He didn’t win a race the entire 2022 season, his first season without a win. Until last week it felt that Max had passed Lewis in more ways than one. However, Hamilton’s second place finish at Albert Park gives hope to Mercedes and his fans everywhere.
🤯
How many more titles will these three great champs win? ✍️#AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/ps7Deu5CrY
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 4, 2023
The rivalry between Lewis and Max has flipped. For as dominant driver as Hamilton was, it feels like Verstappen now is in pole position for the foreseeable future.
That being said, if there was one driver to imagine recapturing this championship, it’s Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton at +2500 odds is another amazing value that you shouldn’t pass up.
I would recommend betting on Hamilton to win the 2023 Drivers Championship at +2500 odds.
Best Bet
I don’t think anyone catches Max this season, he’s a perfect fit for the Red Bull team and their car. He’s won 17 of the 25 races and finished 2nd twice! That’s a level of dominance we haven’t seen since Sebastian Vettel won 13 races a decade ago.
Verstappen may live on the podium but at -800 odds this is horrible value. I would not recommend betting on Verstappen to win at that price.
The two best bets to win the drivers championship are: Fernando Alonso at +2000 odds or Lewis Hamilton at +2500. Perhaps one of the former champions still has one last championship run in them.
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