Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2019 Betting Preview, Tips and Odds

Roy Brindley

April 24th, 2019

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Quick Tips:

• Under 15.5 finishers - 8/11 with Bet365
• Alexander Albon to claim a top-10 Finish - 7/4 with William Hill
• Max Verstappen NOT to finish the race - 5/1 with Coral

Azerbaijan’s Grand Prix Set to Be a Thriller

Without a shadow of doubt the Grand Prix circuit around the streets of Baku, Azerbaijan, has breathed fresh life into Formula 1. A simple 2.2km near straight section should conspire to give us a predictable race akin to the high-speed Italian Grand Prix at Monza - and there is plenty to bet on with the best Formula 1 betting sites.

However, other Baku ingredients include 90 degree corners and extremely narrow wall-lined parts of track with some undulations around a beautiful old town section. A massively exciting spectacle and surprise results could be in store if the three previous editions of this contest are anything to go by.

Baku’s Grand Prix Best Bets

Safety Is Short but Safe

At Least Five Will Fail

The inevitable accidents and incidents means we should see plenty of retirements just as we did in 2017 and 2018 when only 13 cars went the full race distance. It's another short priced selection, but the history books scream out to back the under 15.5 finishers with Bet365 who are going 8/11 about that eventuality.

Mad Max (The Road Warrior)

We are predicting the carnage to begin at the opening bends, and if that does occur it could easily be race ending for some. Invariably the leading cars negotiate the opening turns of all races intact but will Max Verstappen be starting this race from the front? It’s doubtful as a high speed circuit like this should see Ferrari and Mercedes qualify well clear of the pack.

At best the Dutch driver, who is favourite to start in fifth in my book, can be described as impetulant - meaning he can fall on his own sword when attempting an over-ambitious early overtake against one of the superior cars ahead of him. It's a trait of the young Dutchman’s driving style.

That may be part of an exact script but the fact remains that Verstappen has a very questionable record on all street circuits having retired here twice from three visits and having a pair of DNF’s on his CV at Monaco.

I’m playing him in a few markets with a few Formula 1 betting firms. BetVictor are 22/1 for Verstappen to be the first race retirement, with Coral going 5/1 for him not to finish the race.

Pinching Places

So far this has all been very negative stuff, but one driver's bad fortune can lead to good for another. Last year Sergio Perez pinched third place in his Force India (the car/team now called Racing Point) and a Williams’ driven by Lance Stroll caused an enormous upset when also finishing third in 2017. Neither had a prayer of a podium on all known form.

More of the same is entirely possible in 2019 and if you are a backer rather than a layer, here are some interesting propositions at tasty prices to consider.

Kimi Raikkonen was second here in 2018 and fourth in 2016. He was driving a Ferrari then but the veteran now pilots an Alfa Romeo, which has been reliable enough and fast enough to give him three top-10 finishes in this season’s three races to date.

The Finn is a wily campaigner skilful enough to avoid trouble spots. If anyone is capable of picking up the pieces of others misfortune, it's him. And so the 11/4 about a top-6 finish is something to consider when pondering your Formula 1 betting strategy this weekend.

Alex Can Take His Third Top-10

As for a top-10 finish, commonly referred to as a ‘points finish’, William Hill have made some errors in their homework on this subject. They are offering 7/4 about rookie Alexander Albon breaching the top-10 which is a faux-pas on an industrial scale.

The young Thai driver has been massively impressive finishing ninth in Bahrain and tenth in China last time. Tenth may not set the pulse racing, but he missed the race weekend’s third practice session and started the race from last place (and in the pit-lane). His drive from 20th to tenth earned him plaudits and the accolade of ‘driver of the day’.

Recommended Bets:

• Safety Car to be used - 1/4 with Betway
• Under 15.5 classified finishers - 8/11 with Bet365
• Max Verstappen to be first retirement - 22/1 with BetVictor
• Max Verstappen NOT to finish - 5/1 with Coral
• Kimi Raikkonen to top-6 finish - 11/4 with Ladbrokes
• Alexander Albon to top-10 finish - 7/4 with William Hill