Massa and Maldonado for top ten in Malaysian Grand Prix

With it still being so early in the Formula One season, a few more races are required to make the picture clearer as to which cars and drivers are likely to finish where in 2012.

Yet, based on the results of the Australian Grand Prix, Felipe Massa and Pastor Maldonado look overpriced to finish among the points in the next race in Malaysia.

It is almost unheard of for a Ferrari not to be big odds-on to finish in the top ten of a single race given their status within the sport.

But based on Massa’s struggles throughout virtually all of last season and in Melbourne, he is 1/1 in the Formula One odds to claim points at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Having qualified in 16th at Albert Park, Massa was still running outside of the points when being forced to retire late on.

However, teammate Fernando Alonso showed that the current car is capable of being semi competitive by finishing fifth and Massa will benefit from a new chassis in Malaysia which should help improve performance.

Maldonado is 11/8 to finish in the top ten in Malaysia and this may be the better of the two prices.

The Williams driver was pushing Alonso in Australia and it was only an accident on the final lap which cost him ten points in the drivers’ championship.

Maldonado believes his car is faster than those of Ferrari, Force India and Sauber at present and this extra speed at the Sepang circuit could prove of added use, given that the safety car is more unlikely to be required than at other tracks during the season.

There may even be some value in backing Maldonado securing a top-six finish in Malaysia, which can be backed at a tempting 6/1.