Formula One Betting – Part Three

Guest post written by Paul Micelli

Having gained a firm grasp on the different factors that can affect a Formula One race in parts one and two, sports bettors will find themselves in a much better position to make a selection. Additional information can also be found on the official Formula One website and the dedicated BBC web presence.

Although there are a large number of markets available in Formula One betting, the majority of wagers essentially predict where a specific driver will finish. While most bets will be made on the actual winner of an event, bettors can also make selections based on drivers finishing in the points and also take part in some fun bets that offer significant returns for relatively small stakes. Betting on the number of finishers is a particularly popular market for casual punters.

Types of Bets

Seasonal winner – Bets can be made on the driver that tops the Championship table at the end of the season

Outright Race Winner – Choosing the driver that crosses the line in first position in an individual race.

Podium Finish – Predicting a driver who is likely to finish in the top three

Point Finish – Choosing a driver who finishes in the points (during the 2010 season, points finishes extend back to tenth place instead of the traditional eighth place used in previous seasons).

Fastest Lap – Fastest lap bets predict the driver who will complete the fastest single circuit time throughout the duration of the main race.

Safety Car Bets – These bets are little more than a fun addition to most betting slips and bettors can predict whether or not the safety car will be deployed because of crashes or adverse weather conditions.

Number of Finishers – This particular bet can yield relatively high payouts although making the right prediction is little more than a lottery. Speculators can choose the number of finishers in a race and prices will usually be dictated by weather conditions and performances during practice and qualifying.

Distance Bets – Bettors can even place wagers on the distance that a driver will win the race by. If racing enthusiasts are particularly confident about the abilities of a driver, winnings can be maximised with an accurate wager. All distance bets are recorded in seconds rather than traditional measurements such as metres.

Constructor Bets – Bets can be placed on the winning constructor over the course of a season or in an individual race. Many race enthusiasts have a passion for a particular team (Ferrari remain massively popular throughout the world) and will often back the constructor instead of the drivers themselves.

2010 Rule Changes

With the current 2010 season moving into the crucial stages, the rule changes applied at the start of the season seem to be having a significant effect on the competitive nature of events. As the finale to an exciting campaign draws ever nearer, the Formula One Championship remains wide open. The most significant rules changes for 2010 are as follows:

• No Refuelling

• Points extend to tenth position

• Minimum weight changed from 605kg to 620kg

• Narrower front tyres

• No wheel fairings

• Increase in the number of participating teams to twelve

• An additional day of testing is permitted if a replacement driver is used who hasn’t participated in a Formula One event in the last two calendar years