Vettel already looking ominous

24Apr 2013

After four gripping races, it is the three-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel who is setting the early pace in the race for this year's Drivers Championship, with the top three spots being well up for grabs. Stephen Fletcher reviews the season so far and looks ahead to rest of the campaign.

After the very first race in Australia it became clear that the big three of Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel were all the early gunners for this year's grand prize, and a superb drive from the man in the Lotus spoke volumes about Lotus' intentions for the season.

This was followed by surely one of the strangest and tensest podiums in recent Formula One history as we learnt in Malaysia that Sebastian Vettel will stop at nothing to get his hands on title number four, after snatching the win from teammate Mark Webber against team orders.

With Raikkonen, Alonso and Vettel making up the podium in the season opener, it was only fitting that they should share the spoils of the first three races, as Fernando Alonso claimed his first season win by dominating the Chinese Grand Prix.

Bahrain saw a similarly dominant performance from Sebastian Vettel who won the race to stand in the middle of the two Lotus' on the podium, as Romain Grosjean found some pace to challenge his Finnish teammate and keep Lotus in the hunt for the Constructors Championship.

It will be down to the number two drivers Webber, Massa and Grosjean to do battle to bring home the team win, and Mark Webber is more than capable of seeing out the job, so sticking with a safe Constructor's bet would be to continue to back Red Bull at 1.65. Ferrari is available at a tempting 3.75, but you'd be mad to disregard Lotus at an enormous 14.0.

Having finished in the points in every race so far this season, Romain Grosjean only showed signs of challenging at the front in Bahrain, and as such has moved from a pre-season 10.0 to being 19.0 to break into the top three.

The battle for the top three should surely be down to the three title contenders, however Fernando Alonso has shown signs of his classic unlucky self with the Ferrari and has dropped behind a perhaps surprise contender for a top three spot, in the form of Lewis Hamilton.

In his debut season in the Mercedes, Hamilton has made a relatively slow start but two podium finishes has sees him sitting in third heading into Barcelona in May, and he's available at a very appealing 3.1 to stay there, as the Mercedes are starting to look a threat, especially when compared to the disappointing McLaren's.

With ten points separating the Iceman Kimi Raikkonen, who sits at 7.6 for the Championship, and Sebastian Vettel who's available at 1.95, we're in for a great trip around Europe, starting with Alonso' home Grand Prix in Spain. Alonso is currently priced at 3.75 for the Championship, but I'd encourage you never to bet against the German racing machine Sebastian Vettel.

Recommended bets

Sebastian Vettel to win the Drivers Championship at 1.95

Red Bull to win the Constructors Championship at 1.65

Lewis Hamilton to finish in the top three at 3.1