Guide to Formula 1 Betting: How to Maximise Your F1 Bets

Understanding Formula 1 Betting

Before getting stuck into your Formula 1 betting, it is important to understand the sport, how it works, and what can happen and take place that are worthwhile placing bets on. 

F1 Season Structure

24 races, 20 drivers, 10 teams, 21 countries. The Formula 1 season runs from March until December as the drivers and teams battle it out for points to finish at the top of the standings come the end of the season. 

There is the Drivers' Championship and the Constructors' Championship. Both drivers score points for their team depending on where they finish in each race, while drivers also score those points for themselves in the drivers' championship.

Places 1-10 in a Formula One Grand Prix score points, while in a sprint race, drivers have the chance to secure an extra 8 points to add to their tally. The leaders, come the end of the season in December, or when a lead is so large it can not be caught, are then crowned the champions.

Formula 1 Betting Markets

There are lots of Formula 1 betting markets that bettors can expect to come across at bookmakers. We have looked at the most popular ones below.

Race Winner 🏆

One of the simplest ways to bet on F1 is for bettors to predict who they think will cross the line first at the end of a grand prix. Whether you have a favourite driver or team, base it on previous results and outcomes, or just fancy a punt at the winner, race winner markets are suitable for bettors of all experience and knowledge. Simply select the driver you think will win, confirm, and place your bet.

Podium Finish🥇🥈🥉

This Formula 1 bet involves bettors having a guess at who they believe will finish in the top three positions of a race. With three chances of your bet being a success, these are popular F1 betting markets amongst new and experienced bettors. Simply wager on the driver you think will finish on the podium, and no matter what position they finish in, if they are on the podium, your bet should be a success.

Pole Position 1️⃣

A popular F1 bet placed on qualifying involves a punt on who you believe will secure pole position to start P1 in a race. Take into account the location, previous form, and current form in qualifying sessions to place the most informed bets. All you need to do is correctly predict the driver to be the fastest in qualifying for the chance of your bet being a success!

Top 6 Finish 6️⃣

Place your bets on the drivers you believe will finish in places 1-6 at the end of a grand prix and get any of them right for the chance to win! This bet offers six opportunities for bettors to have a chance of success and is another popular way to wager on Formula 1. Look at previous race results and previous results of the specific race track for hints as to how to bet.

Points Finish 🔟

With 10 opportunities for teams and drivers to secure points in a grand prix, a points finish bet in Formula 1 involves punters selecting who will finish in those top 10 positions in a race. If you have bet on any of the teams or drivers who finish P1 to P10 once all cars have crossed the finish line, your bet should be in with a chance of winning!

Driver Markets 🏎️

Betting on driver markets provides unique betting opportunities if you are looking for something different when it comes to your F1 betting. Punters can place bets on certain drivers to make things such as the first pit stop in a race, and the first driver who is likely to have their race ended earlier due to retirement, head-to-head markets with other drivers, and more. 

Ante Post 🏁

Ante-post Formula 1 bets can be placed well in advance, at the start of the season, in the middle of the season, or before the season even starts! This includes betting on who you believe will become world champion at the end of the season, and what team will become the winning constructor. 

Factors to Consider When Placing F1 Bets

There is more to F1 betting than initially meets the eye, with many factors that can impact a race. These must be taken into consideration when placing your bets to ensure you are placing the most accurate and informed wagers.

Driver Form

Do some research on the drivers' form prior to a race. Look at the previous races leading up to the one coming up while also reviewing previous races at that circuit. Look for any drivers with a positive run of results coming into the weekend; they could be on a good run of form or have a big advantage over other drivers. It is also worth looking at the drivers who are on a poor run of form and may be underdogs or who to discount from a race and your bet entirely.

Previous Results

It is always worth checking the previous results at the specific track being raced. This can help bettors identify any trends or certain drivers who have lots of success at the track and may go on to dominate the race. It can also show if any teams are particularly strong at a circuit and if it works to the strengths of their car.

Weather & Track Conditions

The weather on a race day can have a huge impact on the result and the race strategies of the teams. Wet weather causes the track to be slippery, and visibility is severely limited. This means that drivers use all of their experience and skill to keep their cars on track. While extreme temperatures can make the track very hot, affecting the tyre wear and meaning teams must make more pit stops than they may like.

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Responsible Gambling

We understand that gambling can be fun, but it’s important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please do not hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery.

Here are some resources that can help you:

• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133

• GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk

• GambleAware: https://www.gambleaware.org/