Australian GP Betting

[dpbird90]

So, I'm an F1 betting virgin, in fact I'm a total betting virgin, never even set foot in the bookies if I'm honest. But I quite fancy ending that, by betting on the winner of the Australian GP. Being a McLaren fan I would like to bet on Lewis winning (5/1), but with that not seeming so likely, I'm torn between Alonso and Vettel. Only going to stick a fiver on, but for Alonso (2/1) that returns £15 and Vettel (11/4) returns £18.75. So, as per the poll above, who should I back?

[Griffo2008]

Vettel has the better odds, and should be gunning for a win after the problem he had at Bahrain. Although, it is very early in the season. Could be any of the names you wrote lol. I literally started placing bets last week..... bye bye money.

[Wanta996Gotta]

Button hopes that car will be better around this circuit

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82219

World champion Jenson Button has no doubts that McLaren will do better in the Australian Grand Prix that it did in Bahrain last weekend.

Button and team-mate Lewis Hamilton struggled to match the form of Red Bull Racing and Ferrari at Sakhir - as their MP4-25 had difficulties coping with the slow-speed first section of the circuit and the bumpy Turn 6.

Button went on to finish in a distant eighth position, while Hamilton fared better and finished in third.

But despite the performance gap that appeared in Bahrain, Button believes that the next race in Melbourne will deliver a very different picture – especially with the track demanding downforce characteristics that will be more suited to the McLaren.

"It is a circuit that will suit the downforce level of our car more," said Button during the launch of the new McLaren MP4-12C road car in Woking on Thursday.

"The layout of Bahrain was changed very late and that didn't suit us too much. I am really looking forward to Melbourne. It is circuit that has treated me well in the past and one that I really enjoy."

[Flying Toilet]

I got some money on Webber...

[CastrolCraig.]

ive got a tenner on webber, he has a good car under him and its his home race.

[TheArchitect]

Webber in top 5 at least, vettel to win imo.

[MGJohn]

dpbird90 said:

So, I'm an F1 betting virgin, in fact I'm a total betting virgin, never even set foot in the bookies if I'm honest. But I quite fancy ending that, by betting on the winner of the Australian GP. Being a McLaren fan I would like to bet on Lewis winning (5/1), but with that not seeming so likely, I'm torn between Alonso and Vettel. Only going to stick a fiver on, but for Alonso (2/1) that returns £15 and Vettel (11/4) returns £18.75. So, as per the poll above, who should I back?

I do not know how old you are betting 'Virgin' but, everyone has to start somewhere ..

I had my first serious bet in the early 1960s! 10/= 'invested' ~ that's ten shillings = 50p in today's currency. Ten shillings was worth a lot more back then ... could fill a petrol tank...It lost! The horse was called Mill House ~ the English champion ~ it was beaten that day by a horse which became a huge racing legend... That horse was Arkle. I learned a lot that day. A wiser judge that day than the very young and inexperiennced me advised not to bet in the race because Arkle was at least a good improving horse and still an unknown quantity, could be anything.... wise words indeed that I ignored... It was much better than anything ~ probably the most famous horse ever to run at Cheltenham.

Since that long ago first bet I have had many more. I have never done any harm and just occasionally, have 'won' more than I could ever have simply by saving ... not often but nice when that happens. I have strict rules. I only bet on subjects that interest me and which I have a good understanding of. They are Top Class Horse racing ( both flat and jumps ~ did OK at Cheltenham today ~ I always have Cheltenham Festival week off since the 1960s ), Motor Racing and Football. The other major rule is always only bet what I can afford to lose AFTER all your bills have been paid. I never have simply a bet ... a pure gamble... I only have a decent bet if I have weighed up all the odds and sometimes having done that, decide not to bet.

If you are a keen F1 enthusiast and have a good idea of the way things are, you should not go wrong if you are sensible. One final piece of advice. At this early stage of the season things have still to settle down. Still early doors as they say in SoccerSpeak .....Wait until after Q1-2-3 in Oz before betting ... it could be all change from Bahrain. I backed Alonso for last Sunday after Q3. Because he qualified only 3rd then, his odds to win the race became more attractive so i had a punt. I had a good bet on him but not a LARGE one. Both he and I were lucky to win on Sunday considering Vettel's bad luck...

I have accounts with several on-line bookies. You MUST shop around for better odds and better bets. Odds can vary quite a lot and good value can be had if you're on the ball. For instance, I had an each way bet on Michael Schumacher on one bookies "Best of the rest" offers. That was betting without those who qualified 1-2-3 on the grid. Vettle, massa and Alonso excluded. Hamilton was favourite as best of the rest @ 2-1 if I remember and as Schunacher finished 6th ( effectively 3rd in the best of the rest ) I won a few quid on his 6th place finish... Anyone who bet on Hamilton, Rosberg and Schumacher each way on this "Best of the rest" wins. There are numerous types of bets on Motior racing... you can even bet on a driver finishinbg higher that his grid position. so, had yoy bet on Button to improve, you'd have won on that too.

I find this wide variety of bets on one event very intersting...

I can spend up to £40 with a round or two at the Pub... I'd rather spend that on a Motor Racing bet ~ at least there's a chncne of getting something worthwhile in return rather than a hangover ...

Anyway, I've rambled on enough ~ Good luck whatever you decide to do ... we all could do with some of that occasionally ~

[Jungles]

Vettel is very fast on this track (P5 in Q2 in 2008 before oil pump failure, and 2nd in race in 2009 before crashing). He's definitely in the running for a win.

I suspect the two McLaren drivers will be strong here too.

Q:

Vettel
Alonso
Hamilton

R:

Vettel
Hamilton
Alonso

FL:

Alonso

Edited by Jungles on Friday 19th March 00:37

[MGJohn]

I have not voted but will do so after Q3. Prior to that, surely it is pure guesswork...er, "for sure" I'm uncertain.,,,
.

[team underdog]

CastrolCraig. said:

ive got a tenner on webber, he has a good car under him and its his home race.

Ditto, each way at 12-1. I'm hoping Bahrain was a blip and he'll return to Brazil 09 form!

[dpbird90]

Well, after watching FP1 and FP2, I thought the McLaren just looked more composed than the other cars, and so placed my first bet on Lewis to win. William Hill gave the best odds at 11/2, stuck a fiver on so looking at a return of £32.50. I'm feeling quite lucky today, McLaren topped practice, I've been paid (more than I thought I would, finally can pay off the insurance for the Panda for another year and hopefully bring it up to Uni), I'm done for uni for the easter break, everything has been going my way today. Now I'm off to get the shopping, then to the pub.

[kiteless]

FWIW, I voted Button

[ADEuk]

Hamilton at 50/1 at most places, gotta be worth an e/w bet?

[cheddar]

Webber looking strong, only pipped by a 10th sec by Vettel and much smoother too.
GO WEBBER GO!!!!

[team underdog]

Just put a few quid on Webber 1st, Alonso 2nd on paddypower at 16/1. Sorry Seb!

[dpbird90]

Big hairy knackers. I need a 10 car pileup going into turn 1 tomorrow morning. Mind you, P11 isn't too bad, at least Lewis will be on new tyres, don't know how much of an advantage it'll give him, I probably should have gone for Vettel or Webber in hindsight, and if they're giving 50/1 on Lewis now I've well and truely buggered it up, only got 11/2 yesterday. Although most bookies stopped taking bets at close of business yesterday...