8th Apr 2011 | Formula 1
Malaysian Grand Prix Preview
Sebastian Vettel is hot favourite to continue his winning start to the season. His Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber will want to make an impact of his own.
The F1 season’s second Grand Prix takes us to scorching Malaysia as 50 degree track temperatures await the drivers. Mark Webber pipped Jenson Button in Friday practice with Lewis Hamilton in third and defending champion Vettel tucked in at fourth. However, the general consensus is ignore all that - the Red Bulls have plenty more in the locker and are simply biding their time for qualification and race day.
The bookies are convinced that Vettel will produce the goods when needed and the German is a best price of 6/5 to win on Sunday, and just 8/11 to start from pole position. If team-mate Webber really has bridged the gap exposed in Melbourne two weeks ago then odds of 5/2 on him starting from the front look generous. The current best price of 4/1 on the Australian winning the race itself will tumble in that eventuality.
Lewis Hamilton is 9/1 to top qualifying but only 9/2 to triumph on Sunday. Fellow McLaren Button can be picked off at 20/1 to claim pole, and is 9/1 to win the race. Fernando Alonso‘s Ferrari looked well off the pace on Friday but he is 10/1 to upset the Red Bulls and McLarens to claim the top of the podium on Sunday.
Vitaly Petrov is 12/1 to repeat his fine performance down under in the Renault and finish top three again.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 15:08 8th Apr, 2011 but subject to change
