Hamilton favoured for standings ascension with Belgian success

Lewis Hamilton currently sits in fourth place in this season’s Formula One standings, but the McLaren driver finds himself 5/2 favourite for Friday’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Spa-Francorchamps is the venue for the race, and the unpredictable nature of the course means there is little fluctuation regarding the prices of several drivers.

But Hamilton fronts the betting, as he aims to close a 47-point gap between himself and Fernando Alonso, who currently heads the F1 drivers’ standings.

What could prove to work most to his advantage is Hamilton’s manufacturer, due to the terrific record McLaren possess in this race.

Team founder Bruce McLaren claimed success here back in 1968, and 10 McLaren victories have followed since.

One of these was recorded by Hamilton in 2010, and following his win last time out at the Hungarian Grand Prix, he looks the most likely candidate to triumph again here.

His teammate Jenson Button can be backed also though, with the 2009 world champion a 9/1 shot to record his first Grand Prix success since the season’s opening race.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel remains favourable to give Alonso something to think about, with the German, gunning for a third consecutive F1 title, 4/1 for this race.

Vettel’s Red Bull teammate Mark Webber surprisingly trumps him in the standings currently, but with just a two-point advantage, he seems unlikely to hold that lead at 10/1 here.

Elsewhere, Lotus could pose a threat, as they aim to maintain a narrow lead over Ferrari and attempt to close the gap on leaders Red Bull in the manufacturers’ championship.

Drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean have yet to win a race this season, but have regularly gone close to being first past the checkered flag.

Raikkonen is 5/1 to break that duck on Sunday, whilst Grosjean is an 8/1 hope, and they definitely look worthy each-way prospects in a testing race.

Finn Raikkonen in particular tempts, considering his four previous triumphs in this race.

The most successful manufacturers in the history of the contest have been Ferrari meanwhile, boding well for punters backing Alonso to extend his lead in the F1 championship rankings.

Spaniard Alonso is 6/1 for a fourth victory of the season, which would move him a step closer to a third drivers’ championship.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.