Mercedes looking to kick on in Bahrain Grand Prix
Published:This Formula One season has seen three different winners already, and last week’s winner Nico Rosberg is at 6/1 to repeat that feat in the contentious Bahrain Grand Prix, after Jenson Button tipped him to be a contender for the remainder of the year.
Mercedes claimed their first F1 win since 1955 in China and laid claim to the front row of the grid with Michael Schumacher lining up next to Rosberg.
The seven-time champion retired early in the race after a pit stop error, but with Mercedes looking good, it looks inevitable that he will be challenging for wins soon enough and 10/1 looks a good price for him to do so at a circuit where he won in 2004.
Rosberg dominated in China, much like Sebastian Vettel did for great periods last year en route to the driver’s championship.
The Red Bull man has had a poor season so far but did well to finish fifth after qualifying 11th in Shanghai, he is 7/1 to claim his first victory of the year and kick-start his campaign.
This track has been a good omen for Ferarri of late. The Italian team have won three of the last four around here and Fernando Alonso, who is 20/1 to take the flag first, has three victories to his name in the Middle East.
Alonso’s teammate Felipe Massa has failed to register a point so far this season but has consecutive triumphs in 2007 and 2008 to look to here, but the Brazilian looks an unlikely winner at 250/1.
McLaren kept up their consistency in Shanghai with podium finishes for both drivers. Lewis Hamilton goes into this Grand Prix as favourite once again at 9/4, with Button close behind at 5/2.
Kamui Kobayashi qualified third in China but finished a disappointing tenth.
The 25-year old’s aggressive driving style suits the Bahrain International Circuit and the Japanese driver, at 66/1, will be keen to show he can challenge the more established drivers, as team mate Sergio Perez (50/1) did in Malaysia.
