Russian GP Tips: Can Hamilton extend his lead over Vettel in Sochi?
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Sebastian Vettel is running out of time to catch World Championship leader Lewis Hamilton, as the Formula One season moves onto Russia this weekend.
The Ferrari ace is 40 points behind the Briton in the standings after the Mercedes man clocked up his fourth victory in five races in Singapore a fortnight ago.
Hamilton is now 1/7 to retain the Drivers’ Championship against 4/1 for Vettel. Can the German claw some points back in Sochi on Sunday? We check out the race odds.
Russia GP Race Winner Odds
Mercedes are masters of this track. Hamilton triumphed in 2014 and 2015, with Nico Rosberg and Valtteri Bottas claiming the chequered flag in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
Sochi should favour the Ferrari. But Hamilton has been driving out of his skin of late and is the 11/10 favourite to continue his hot-streak around the Winter Olympics venue.
Vettel will have the pace to succeed at 5/4. The question is whether he can string it all together over the course of the weekend. If he can’t, then his title ambitions are all but over.
Valtteri Bottas has been a regular on the podium this season without reaching the top step. He’s 15/2 to repeat his success from 12 months ago. Fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen is 9/1.
The Sochi circuit doesn’t play to the strengths of the Red Bulls. Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo will also face penalties and are out at 20/1 and 25/1 as a result.
Q3 and Points Finish Odds
Toro Rosso duo Brendon Hartley and Pierre Gasly are also likely to be scuppered by penalties.
The latter of the pair could sneak into Q3, however. The Frenchman has shown good pace in qualifying of late and is 9/2 to force his way into the final session.
In terms of a Points Finish, we’re looking towards Sauber man Charles Leclerc.
The soon-to-be Ferrari driver has chalked up six top-10 finishes at tracks not too dissimilar to Sochi already this season.
He’s 10/11 to come home 10th or better, with veteran Fernando Alonso available at even-money.
Click here for all our Russian Grand Prix odds.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
