Venue: Monza, Italy.
Following Max Verstappen’s dominant win at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend, the Formula One Championship battle looks all but over, with the Red Bull driver having gained a seemingly unassailable lead on the chasing pack. In one of their two home Grand Prix’s, Ferrari will be out to put a good performance on the board, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr having struggled in recent weeks, whilst time is running out for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to record a race win for Mercedes this season. All of these subtexts do little to distract from the fact that Max Verstappen and Red Bull have been far too good for the chasing pack this season and how they would love to assert that dominance again this weekend at Monza.
Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix Predictions
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F1 Italian Grand Prix Race Winner
Monza will provide the perfect back drop to a superb weekend of racing in Italy this weekend and plenty of big name drivers will fancy their chances.
Max Verstappen – $1.50
The Dutch Grand Prix proved to be the perfect tonic for Max Verstappen who overcame plenty of problems in qualification to romp home to the delight of his home fans. With a points lead in excess of 100, Verstappen would have to capitulate dramatically over the next few races to end up without a second successive Driver’s Championship title and he is at the peak of his powers, suggesting another hefty win is on the cards here.
Charles Leclerc – $7.50
A season that began with such promise for Charles Leclerc has begun to turn into a bit of a nightmare for the man from Monaco. Being outdone by Red Bull and Verstappen is one thing but Leclerc has faltered in comparison to his Ferrari team mate Carlos Sainz in recent weeks and all doesn’t seem well in the camp. The familiar surrounds of Monza should do Leclerc some good this weekend and at least he arrives with the pressure firmly off him here in Lombardy.
Lewis Hamilton – $9.00
Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has seen it all before but with the Brit not having registered a race win so far this term, he and Mercedes are looking for answers. Monza has never been one of his favourite stomping grounds, but he knows his way round all the tracks on the F1 circuit and with the bit between his teeth in the past few weeks, he is driving faster than he has been all season – making him at least an outside candidate here at Monza.
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F1 Italian Grand Prix First Driver to Retire
Monza is a notoriously tricky track and with so much on the line, it could be an exciting weekend at the Italian Grand Prix:
Nicholas Latifi – $10.00
As the only man on the grid to have not registered a point this season, Nicholas Latifi looks to be really struggling for confidence and form. Getting tied up at the back of the pack is always risky and the Williams man will need to be on his mettle to avoid strife early on.
Daniel Riccardo – $21.00
Australian Daniel Riccardo has really been off the boil in recent weeks for McLaren and on a tricky track that he hasn’t registered too much previous success on, he could be a candidate to bomb out early in Italy.
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F1 Italian Grand Prix Top Six Finish
Points are key at the later stages of the Formula One season and every driver on the grid will be vying to finish as high up the leader board as possible in Italy:
Lando Norris – $2.00
McLaren’s Lando Norris has enjoyed an excellent season and he would love to cap the campaign with more points on the board at Monza. He is a driver beyond his years that should revel in conditions here and he could be one to keep an eye on.
Pierre Gasly – $12.00
Frenchman Pierre Gasly is a superbly talented driver and having won at this race in 2020, he will be desperate to go well again this term. Conditions look set to suit him and his fearless driving style looks to be made for Monza.
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F1 Italian Grand Prix Best Bets:
Race Winner: Max Verstappen – $1.50
First Driver to Retire: Nicholas Latifi- $10.00
Top Six Finish: Lando Norris – $2.00
