F1 2021 Driver's Championship Betting

Formula 1 Championship Betting Picks

Following the Styrian Grand Prix, we're now about one-third of the way into the Formula 1 season for 2021. Eight races are down and 15 remain ahead on the schedule.

As everyone expected, the driver's leaderboard is a two-horse race between Hamilton and Verstappen. The latter of which leads with 156 points, while the reigning champion Hamilton is 18 points behind. Verstappen has built the lead with back-to-back wins, first at the French GP then the most recent Styrian.

When you're making a futures bet on the eventual world champion, it has to be on one of the drivers or the other. Betting an equal amount on both drivers would net a loss, and honestly, there's no other driver worthy of a futures bet — unless injury or disaster strikes one of the co-favorites.

So who's the better wager right now, Verstappen or Hamilton? We'll give you our answer shortly, but lets at least see where online oddsmakers current stand on the question:

Driver
Lewis Hamilton	-200	-200
Max Verstappen	+150	+150
Sergio Perez	+5000	+5000
Valtteri Bottas	+15000	+15000
Charles Leclerc	+100000	+100000

If you've followed the betting lines year-round, you know Hamilton has been the favorite to win from the get-go. That's finally come unglued in the past week given Verstappen's hot streak over the last month. Let's discuss if that's warranted or not.

Betting Pick: Hamilton Or Verstappen?

You have to ask yourself one question: how much do you value driving experience?

If you value it, then Hamilton is certainly the much safer gambling choice. He's been there, done that since his first season in the circuit back in 2007. A seven-time winner of the driver's championship, you can certainly bet that he won't choke down the stretch.

Verstappen is the 23-year-old that's been billed the "future of the sport" for years, but it's finally starting to come to fruition in 2021. What he lacks in championship experience, Verstappen makes up with his vehicle and then some.

Much has been made about the new-and-improved Red Bull car that he drives. Most — even Hamilton himself — seem to agree it's, by and large, the fastest car in the sport this season. You've seen evidence of that over the last month, a stretch where Verstappen has finished first place in three of four races, including the famed Monaco Grand Prix.

However, if his age and lack of title pedigree do give you pause, consider this: Hamilton was the same age as Verstappen is right now when he claimed his first-ever world championship in 2008 with McLaren.

We'll tell you what, we're not in the slightest worried about Verstappen's age. He's been in the circuit for seven years now, he's no spring chicken anymore. Plus, the stars have seemingly aligned for the driver — the switch to Red Bull Honda from Aston Martin, having Sergio Perez as his teammate, the fast car. He's got everything he needs to end Hamilton's four-year run as world champion.

So our money is on Verstappen to win the 2021 title. The future is here and it's officially Verstappen's time atop the mountain.

Max Verstappen To win 2021 Driver's Championship

-200

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How To Watch Formula 1

If you're putting money down on F1, it would behoove you to follow the thrill ride in real-time. The next race is the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, July 4. Formula 1 races almost on a weekly basis, but there are two-week breaks once in a while.

In the United States, the exclusive home for F1 broadcasts is ESPN. Its family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, etc.) live air the usual F1 events — practices, qualifiers, and finally, the actual race itself. Given the international nature of F1, most events take place in the early mornings for US-based followers.

So that's how you can follow along and as we said, our case is rested with Verstappen being the best bet to make right now. But... things do change, especially in motorsports. For updated F1 betting odds, not only on futures winners but also weekly races, then visit one of our partner betting sites listed below. You'll find the best Formula 1 prices available online at these bookmakers.

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