Back Bottas to come up trumps in German GP outside of Mercedes

Williams driver Valterri Bottas is clearly getting used to the taste of champagne during a breakthrough season in Formula One, finishing third in Austria before claiming second place at Silverstone.

Now the F1 roadshow heads to the Hockenheimring and the Finn has to be fancied to continue his fine form behind the wheel, especially with that hybrid Mercedes engine powering his Williams.

Bottas is the 3/1 favourite in Ladbrokes’ market without the Silver Arrows of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg for the German Grand Prix.

And given the superior flat-line speed offered by the Mercedes-manufactured engine, over that of Ferarri’s own brand and Renault’s much-maligned unit powering the Red Bulls, Hockenheim’s straight sections only add to Bottas’ chances.

In that respect, teammate Felipe Massa should also profit from the Hockenheim’s high-octane layout, though the Brazilian’s nasty collision with Kimi Raikkonen at Silverstone may have shaken the 7/2 shot’s confidence slightly.

Ferarri’s Raikkonen is due to recover in time for the weekend’s racing and actually holds the track record at the Hockenheimring, set back in 2004 when driving for McLaren,

However, the former world champion is nowhere near the force he was back then, having struggled all season – where seventh remains his highest finish – so best avoid the 20/1 on offer for the Finn.

Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso continues to struggle for race pace despite driving in his usual peerless fashion, fueling rumours he could be ready to quit the Italian-based team at the end of the season.

Alonso, whose only podium remains a third in China in 2014, has actually won the last two German Grand Prixs at Hockenheim, so 6/1 on the Spaniard who is overdue some luck is still an attractive punt.

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

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