21st Jun 2012 | Formula 1
European GP Preview
Are we going to have 8 different winners in a row? We look at the trends of past winners in Valencia for some clues.
Lewis Hamilton deservedly got on the board in Canada and is 3/1 (Betfred) to register back-to-back wins. With an unprecedented outbreak of equality in F1, we’ve seen seven different winners in seven races. Perhaps it is the turn of Michael Schumacher (16/1 Bet365) or Kimi Raikkonen (14/1 Boylesports) this weekend.
Value of pole position
It is fiendishly difficult to overtake at Valencia and not dissimilar to Monaco in that respect. Three of the last four pole sitters have won the race and qualifying could be crucial again. Rubens Barrichello managed to win from third on the grid in 2009 but achieved his ‘overtakes’ during the pit-stop phases of the race.
Driver on pole to win the race 8/15 (Blue Square)
Driver to watch
Sebastian Vettel has won the last two European GPs, no doubt aided by his ability to get the car on pole. He is 9/2 (Betfred) for the hat-trick. However, Heikki Kovalanien is the driver to look out for. He’s finished fourth in Valencia twice, in 2009 it was his highest finish of the season with McLaren.
Heikki Kovalainen to finish in the points 33/1 (Bet365)
Retirement Rate – Low
The European GP at Valencia has the lowest retirement rate of all the circuits on the F1 calendar. Last season there were no retirements with all 24 cars finishing the race.
Over 20.5 classified drivers 10/11 Ladbrokes
Odds correct at time of publishing: 17:00 21st Jun, 2012 but subject to change
