Punters steering clear of Hamilton
after McLaren scandal as his team-mate chases down a third title
One of the best formula one title races in recent years is gripping
punters as the drivers go into the final three events of the season. The FIA's
decision not to strip Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso of their points in the
drivers' championship after the spying row between McLaren and Ferrari, has
ensured interest remains high as the English rookie tries to cling on to his
slender lead over the defending champion, Alonso, in Japan at the
weekend.
Of course, the contest for the constructors' crown is now over,
after Ron Dennis's team had all the points they had won this year expunged. But
at least those who backed McLaren to win with Paddy Power were refunded. "If
punters could gather inside information we would not stay in business very
long. Since they cannot it is only fair we refund on a bet that has no chance
of reaching the chequered flag," said a Paddy Power spokesman.
Going into the Japanese grand prix, Alonso
is a best-price 10-11 (Bet Direct and Betterbet) to win the drivers' title with
Hamilton 7-5, Kimi Raikkonen 9-1 and Felipe Massa 100-1 (all Sporting Odds).
Ladbrokes also reports that Alonso has been the best-backed driver since
McLaren were penalised, with the Harrow-based firm laying some chunky bets on
the Spaniard including one of £8,000.
And it is the McLaren
drivers who head the market for the race at Fuji Speedway, which hosts a grand
prix for the first time in 30 years. Ladbrokes reports a number of four-figure
bets at 11-10 against either McLaren car winning (that price has firmed to 4-6,
but Sky Bet still offers 11-10). Alonso and Raikkonen are joint favourites at
2-1, with Hamilton 4-1 (all generally available) and Massa 9-2 (Sky Bet).
With Raikkonen now considered the No1 at Ferrari there is a growing
feeling that the Finn will have a real advantage this weekend. Dominant in the
last race at Spa, a track with downforce levels very similar to those at Fuji
Speedway, Raikkonen seems happy at last with his car's set-up and with Massa
now detailed to protect him when possible, the freely available 2-1 looks worth
taking (Extrabet quotes just 6-4).
Of the McLaren duo, Hamilton is
certainly better value than Alonso as he is double the price of his team-mate.
According to reports they have not spoken since the Spaniard forced the
Englishman off the track at the first bend in Belgium. If you think it might
happen again, this time with either or both cars failing to return to the
track, Sky Bet's offer of 25-1 that a McLaren car will be first to retire from
the race might be worth a flutter.
No one knows just how tough the
track in the foothills of Mount Fuji will be on the cars. However, they are
generally more reliable in the later races of the season and, unless it rains,
a small stakes buy of the number of finishers at 16.5 with
Sporting Index is advised - a bet that would have yielded a
profit in nine of the 14 races this season.
Ralf
Schumacher is one of the few in Sunday's field who has driven at the old Fuji
Speedway (in his days in the Formula Nippon series) and, although the new track
has been revamped, it retains much of the original layout - including the
longest straight in formula one, which should afford plenty of overtaking
opportunities. Slower corners, too, are expected to make for a more exciting
race. With Toyota desperate to do well at their home venue, Schumacher just
might land odds of 3-1 (Extrabet) to finish in the points.
TIP: A small stakes buy of the number of finishers at
16.5 with
Sporting Index is advised - a bet that would have yielded a
profit in nine of the 14 races this season.
Main Menu
rendspotting 
