Written by @OMGitsTarrynLee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
British Grand Prix | Sunday 06 July | Silverstone Circuit | 14:00
Prepare yourself for an electrifying battle at one of Formula 1’s most historic and cherished events – the British Grand Prix at Silverstone! Known for its uniquely named and challenging corners, Silverstone stands out as one of the oldest and most fan-favourite tracks in the F1 calendar. Throngs of passionate British fans flood the stands, cheering wildly for their homegrown heroes.
This race weekend is extra special as many of the teams, including giants like Mercedes, Red Bull, Williams, and McLaren, have roots right here in the British countryside, making the competition for victory incredibly fierce. Adding even more buzz to the event, Susie Wolff will be taking to the track during Friday’s practice sessions. Her presence highlights the growing influence of women in this traditionally male-dominated sport and fans will be keen to see the lap times she clocks behind the wheel of the Williams.
Previous Race Recap
Formula One is famously unpredictable. Just when Lewis Hamilton seemed poised to clinch his second World Championship, bad luck struck hard. His Mercedes teammate, Nico Rosberg, took full advantage, leading the Championship and winning the Austrian Grand Prix. Hamilton struggled in qualifying and despite an impressive race start, couldn’t surpass his teammate, finishing second. Williams surprised with Massa taking his first Pole of the season and Bottas joining him on the front row. Though Mercedes’ speed was unmatched in the race, Bottas secured his first podium finish, marking a significant milestone for the team. Fernando Alonso finished fifth, sandwiched between Williams teammates, while Ferrari continued struggling with a disappointing tenth place from Raikkonen. Force India made a notable impact with both drivers scoring points, placing them fourth in Constructors. Vettel continued facing troubles, retiring early with engine issues, and Ricciardo’s eighth-place finish was overshadowed by rookie Kevin Magnussen’s stellar performance.
The Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone is a fast and technical circuit, featuring some of the toughest corner sequences in F1. The magisterial Maggots, Becketts, and Chapel corners test driver skill and courage, leading onto the blisteringly quick Hangar Straight, one of two DRS zones on this track. Though packed with rapid bends, this year’s layout has been modified for safety, reflecting F1’s heightened focus on driver protection.
Turn 9, known as Copse, is infamous for its high-speed challenge, with cars hurtling through it at around 300 km/h. Silverstone is demanding on tyres, with Pirelli supplying the hard and medium compounds to withstand the rigours. Last year’s race saw tyre drama, with six punctures recorded. Weather plays a wildcard too, as the typical English grey skies loom, and rain showers are forecast throughout the weekend.
Outright Winners Odds
Lewis Hamilton 13/20
Nico Rosberg 16/10
Valterri Bottas 20/1
Felipe Massa 20/1
Daniel Ricciardo 28/1
Sebastian Vettel 33/1
Fernando Alonso 40/1
Kimi Raikkonen 100/1
Value Bets
Felipe Massa (20/1 to win, 2/1 on podium)
Massa surprised everyone with a stunning Pole position in Austria after a career impacted by a serious accident in 2009. Williams has built an impressive car this season, shaking up the dominance of Mercedes and Red Bull. A top-performing Massa combined with this machinery could cause an upset here. A podium finish is a safe bet, considering Williams struggles with race pace compared to Mercedes. Back his teammate too; both drivers have shown excellent form.
Daniel Ricciardo (28/1 to win, 18/10 on podium)
Red Bull has a tradition of favouring tall, tanned Aussie drivers alongside Vettel. Ricciardo seems to be fulfilling that hope in his debut season with the team, currently leading Vettel by 23 points. With Vettel’s reliability woes, Ricciardo’s chances brighten. He’s already clinched a win this year, and the odds for a podium are enticing. Placing an each-way bet is highly recommended here.
Fernando Alonso (40/1 to win, 9/4 on podium)
Alonso trails the Mercedes driver duo but remains a double World Champion with a knack for top finishes. While his car lags behind in speed, the Championship is still open. Expect Alonso to finish in the top six, but with shorter odds on top six, a podium bet offers better value.
Pole Position & Win: Lewis Hamilton (5/10 for Pole, 13/20 to win)
Hamilton is the crowd favourite at Silverstone, with tremendous local support. His teammate Button has shown struggles this season, and other Brits like Chilton are battling just to break the top ten. Hamilton has won here before and was on course for another win last year until tyre issues struck. His awful luck is the only real obstacle in his way this weekend. If his car holds together, back Hamilton for Pole and victory.
Think we’ve nailed it? Or got it wrong? Drop your thoughts and predictions in the comments below and join the thrilling discussion!