Formula One betting has become one of the best ways to get closer to the action in recent seasons and track your favourite drivers from Lights Out to the Chequered Flag.
And guess what? You definitely don’t have to be an expert to thrive in the world of F1 betting. It is one of the most predictable sports in the world, which makes betting on Formula 1 far simpler than other sports like football and NFL.
Our guide aims to show new F1 fans how to bet on a grand prix and win. We’ll show you the most basic F1 bets to get you started, and offer up a few Formula One tips as well.
Even expert F1 bettors get it wrong sometimes but this sport is perfect for low-budget, low-risk betting tactics. So, come with us as we delve into the world of F1 bets!
How to bet on F1
You can bet on Formula One at Paddy Power within a few minutes of entering the site or downloading the app. Sign up by entering your personal details and make a deposit to get started. Our F1 odds are all placed in the same tab so you can see all the bets in one place.
Browse through scores of bet options for the upcoming grand prix or look at outright bets such as ‘F1 champion’ and ‘Constructors title’.
Once you’ve found your ideal bet, hit the odds to open the bet slip and enter your stake. Check you’re happy with the stake and potential profit, before hitting Place Bet to complete the process.
The beauty of F1 betting is it can be highly predictable. Cars usually finish in the order they should, depending on their speed, agility and the ability of the driver. These three variables are what you need to consider when betting on F1. There’s no point relying on crashes or freak events these days – the sport is far too safe for that.
F1 betting odds you need to know
Betting on F1 isn’t just about backing the winner. That would be pretty boring. After all, Max Verstappen usually dominates the odds, just as Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel did before him. While there might occasionally be a challenger, there is usually little value in the F1 win odds. So, where else can you bet on a race? Here are a few options…
Race winner – Yes we know we’re contradicting ourselves here but we need to include the race winner market as one of the top F1 bets available. It’s the one most people gravitate towards. Betting on the race winner requires a bit of research and it’s often smarter to do it after qualifying, when you know who is in pole position.
Podium finish – This is perhaps the best F1 bet if you want to back an outsider. Ignore the guys going for the chequered flag and instead look at those who might sneak a third-place finish. This is ideal when betting on mid-range teams like Alpine, Ferrari or Aston Martin.
Fastest lap – The driver with the fastest lap at the end of a grand prix earns a point. This usually goes to the race winner but not every time. Drivers who are guaranteed to finish in a certain position because they cannot be caught by the car behind them will often pit and throw on fresh tyres for the final few laps, in order to chase that single, valuable championship point. That makes betting on the fastest lap far less predictable and open to big wins.
Qualifying betting – You can bet on F1 qualifying at Paddy Power and potentially have a more profitable time than during the grand prix. Drivers go through three rounds of qualifying, with a number of cars missing the cut at each round. You can bet on cars to make the cut, secure pole position, or be faster than other drivers.
Live betting – Paddy Power offers plenty of live F1 bets that fluctuate as a grand prix unfolds. If you’re new to F1 in-play betting then don’t worry, you get plenty of live stats and updates to keep you in the loop. Live odds allow you to time your bet to perfection and make smarter choices in a sport where it’s easy to predict what happens next.
Sprint races are mad – If you’re looking for less predictability in F1 then look at the sprint races. These are mini races that take place on a Saturday of the F1 weekend, at some circuits across the season. The idea is to keep fans more engaged and give a different edge to the sport. They’re fun to watch and less predictable than Sunday races, so they’re ideal if you’re chasing a long-odds bet.
Formula One betting tips
Now you know about the types of F1 odds you can bet on, it’s time to focus on where to place your bets. Below are a few F1 betting tips that most experts agree is a solid starting point for new punters.
You might outgrow these Formula One betting strategies over time but for now they can serve as a solid platform to get your started.
Back pole sitters to win – The driver that finishes top of qualifying and sits in pole position ahead of a grand prix wins around 40% of the time. If you’re looking for a predictable bet then this is a good place to start. The odds might be tiny but a small winning bet is always better than a big losing bet.
Look at historic performance – Some cars and drivers are better suited to certain circuits. For example, Red Bull cars recently have greater straight-line speed compared to Mercedes, so are better on big, wide tracks. The McLaren, meanwhile, is nimbler and can deal with street circuits far easier. Look back at how drivers and their cars have fared at circuits before placing a bet.
Watch if you can – Paddy doesn’t offer an F1 live stream unfortunately, but we have loads of live F1 bets. If you can watch or listen to the race in real time then that makes a huge difference. We’ll provide you with enough stats and updates to keep you going but being able to analyse the race in live is the best way to make smart bets.
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