Third time’s the charm for Fernando Alonso at Silverstone

Four podium finishes in his six completed races have made for a steady start to the Formula One season for Fernando Alonso.

Yet with the headlines still following three-time reigning champion and current Championship leader Sebastian Vettel, it has been easy to overlook motor racing’s most famous Spaniard – himself a two-time former champion.

But with Alonso climbing to second in the Drivers’ Championship with his second place at the recent Canadian Grand Prix, then perhaps the time has come to acknowledge Ferrari’s main man as more than just the closest challenger to the German.

Heading towards the British Grand Prix in two weeks’ time, that is exactly how Alonso will be feeling.

A winner at Silverstone in both 2006 and 2011, the 31-year-old is available at a tempting price of 3/1 to secure victory in Northamptonshire for a third time in his impressive career.

Currently 36 points behind Vettel in the Drivers’ Championship, Alonso will be taking heart from the German’s failure to win at Silverstone in any of the last three seasons.

Such form suggests that the 13/8 on offer for Red Bull’s main man should be avoided ahead of the race in a fortnight’s time, with Vettel’s teammate Mark Webber – a winner here in two of the last three years – offering more value at 9/1.

But it is Alonso – still available at 11/4 to win a third world crown this year – who could well attract the most attention ahead of the race.

As the only man other than Vettel to win more than one Grand Prix this season thanks to his successes in Shanghai and Barcelona, the Spaniard looks well placed to increase the pressure on his rival with a third win in Britain, a feat achieved by just six men before him.

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