Betting on Formula 1 and other motor sports

Formula 1 is the world’s greatest motorsport, and its popularity stretches back to the first season in 1950, and since then has followed decades of Grand Prix races. Today, cars are faster than ever and drivers are even richer – and the sport is reaching every corner of the world, including exotic locations like Abu Dhabi, Suzuka and Kuala Lumpur, as well as famous tracks like Silverstone, Monte Carlo and Monza. It’s a sport that combines gold and glitter with technical mastery and the risk of disaster at any moment.

As with any other sport, betting on Formula 1 odds is also extremely popular, especially since the introduction of Formula 1 live betting – offering fans to bet during the races, creating an immersive and intense experience.

Of course, motorsports betting isn’t just limited to Formula 1. In the US, NASCAR competes with Formula 1 for popularity, with NASCAR facing a huge market. At the same time, there’s Le Mans – the world’s oldest motor race, run in France every year since 1923 – and a race that is perennially popular with true motorsport fans.

Explanation of Formula 1

As you’ll quickly discover when looking at Formula 1 odds, it’s not just the winner of a specific Grand Prix or who becomes world champion that you can bet on. Previously, betting on Formula 1 was only possible in the form of betting on the winner of the drivers’ or constructors’ world championship, as well as the winner of each Grand Prix. Nowadays, you can bet on every detail of Formula 1, from who comes out on top in qualifying, to who drives the fastest lap, and even handicap markets. Below is a quick rundown of some of the main markets that you can use when organising your betting strategy.

Formula 1 qualifying bets

The first market Formula 1 fans usually turn to on a race weekend is the results of qualifying. Not surprisingly, the most popular bet on Formula 1 qualifying is to predict who will start in pole position.

Qualifying is divided into three parts. After the first part, the six slowest cars are eliminated and placed at the back of the starting grid, then another 6 cars are eliminated after the second part, leaving the 10 fastest cars to battle each other for the top spots on the starting grid.

Just as you can bet on who will start in pole position, you can also bet on who will set the fastest lap in qualifying.

Formula 1 Grand Prix games

Once qualifying has decided the drivers’ position in the starting grid, it’s time for the “big” race on Sunday. This is where most Formula 1 gaming takes place.

The most popular bets on race day are on the winning driver and constructor, as well as who sets the fastest lap. But there is also a much more varied range of markets available, such as who gets a podium finish, how many cars complete the race, head-to-heads (e.g. Kevin Magnussen Vs Romain Grosjean) and other special markets such as whether the safety car comes onto the track.

But one of the most fun Formula 1 markets to bet on is Speed Row betting.

Formula 1 Speed Row betting

In Formula 1, Speed Row betting offers fans to bet on the order of the finishing positions of 5 predetermined drivers. Here, the overall finishing position is irrelevant, as the market creates a five-way race between only these 5 drivers. If the drivers finish in the order you predicted, you win your bet.

Let’s assume you have these drivers: Hamilton, Verstappen, Grosjean, Magnussen and Vettel. If you predicted that Hamilton would finish first among these drivers, followed by Vettel, Verstappen, Magnussen and Grosjean, you would win your bet even if Hamilton finished 3rd in the race, Vettel 5th, Verstappen 6th, Magnussen 10th and Grosjean 12th. The actual finishing position of the drivers in the race is not important – essentially you remove the other drivers and have your own mini Grand Prix between the 5 drivers.

Formula 1 season betting

For punters with an eye on the long term, Formula 1 season betting is just for you.

During the season, you can bet on the winner of the drivers’ or constructors’ championship, as well as the number of points a driver will score, or even a handicap bet between the drivers. You can also bet on the number of podium finishes, and if you’re into the very, very long term, you can bet on how many times a particular driver wins the world championship in their career. (E.g. Kevin Magnussen to win 2 or more world championships)