Sweeping Malaysia Grand Prix could suit Raikkonen again

A tense and strategic race with a somewhat surprising winner in Melbourne, has thrown up an air of uncertainty and opportunity ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpur.

Kimi Raikkonen’s win around the Albert Park circuit was a surprise to many who thought Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull might dominate after their qualifying superiority.

Raikkonen’s success was built on the durability of the tyres on this year’s Lotus, and tyre wear can often be a big factor around Malaysia’s long sweeping bends, so odds of 4/1 for the Finn to take a second chequered flag in succession could prove very rewarding.

The car is often the star in Malaysia, and four of the last seven races here have seen a team take a first and second in this Grand Prix. It’s a statistic that makes an each-way bet on Kimi’s teammate Romain Grosjean at 25/1 very attractive indeed for a man driving a car that clearly has excellent race pace.

However, Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull can never be discounted, and it’s evident that they have a fast car, topping two of the three practice sessions, and taking pole position in Australia. The German has won two of the last three races at Sepang, and for a man who has won at least four races in every season since 2009, odds of 7/4 could likely be some of the biggest all year for the triple champion.

One man who can often transcend his car’s ability and reward a punter is Lewis Hamilton, who got off to a solid start to life at Mercedes in Australia, third on the grid and fifth in the race. The Brit is 10/1 for success in Malaysia, and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility, given that the event has often been the scene for a driver’s first win after changing teams, with Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso both both taking victory here soon after switching camps.

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