Grand Prix of Spain in Barcelona, Sunday, 23.06.2024
The summer of sport has a lot to offer this year. We are in the middle of the 2024 European Championship, the Olympic Games are not long in coming and Formula 1 is also getting underway. Three races are taking place over the next three weekends, also known as the “triple header” in the premier class.
It all starts in Barcelona, with the Spanish GP just around the corner. It is the track to watch when it comes to how well the car’s aerodynamics work. This is because the circuit has many different cornering variations to offer, as well as aggressive asphalt that puts a lot of strain on the tires.
True to the motto “Never change a running sports bet”, after the race in Canada I am again backing a top 3 finish for Lando Norris at the Spanish GP, my Formula 1 bet at Bwin
Max Verstappen has lost his dominance. Red Bull started even stronger in the tests and in the first races than in 2023, a year in which Red Bull only lost one race win, to Ferrari and Carlos Sainz in Singapore, when Red Bull miscalculated the setup.
While it was a technical defect in Australia in 2024 that slowed Verstappen down, it is now the strong competitors and set-up difficulties, and in some cases the poor character traits of the RB20, that are making life more difficult for the high-flyer in the premier class. Neutral F1 fans breathe a sigh of relief, the excitement is back
Red Bull has now failed to win three world championship races. Of the last four races, Verstappen has only won two, in Canada and Imola, both by the skin of his teeth after a tough battle and in some cases only thanks to mistakes by the other teams.
Charles Leclerc and Norris were able to celebrate in Monaco and Miami. The Briton is now regarded as Verstappen’s biggest threat with his consistent McLaren, which has set fast lap times on every track since the Miami update. After their success in the principality in Montreal, Ferrari were somewhere in the middle of nowhere
When it comes to the question of the race winner in Spain, Verstappen is still ahead, with odds of around 1.50 for the Dutch superstar. In view of the fact that Barcelona is regarded as an absolute Red Bull track, this is still an outstanding bet.
In addition, Verstappen has still won six of the nine World Championship races. As his rivals are taking points off each other, he has a comfortable cushion of 56 championship points; he could currently afford two retirements and would still be ahead.
In Spain, Norris (7.00) and Leclerc (8.00) are among the biggest rivals for victory among the top betting providers, who also have a wide range of offers for the European Championship. For Lewis Hamilton, Oscar Piastri and Co. odds in the double-digit segment are already beckoning.
The balance of power between the top teams is currently quite unclear. But the fact is, it’s likely to be another tight affair and Ferrari will be stronger than they were at the total loss in Canada.
I currently see Red Bull at the front, or Verstappen, who is the only one of the two drivers who can get the maximum out of his car. Perez stumbled again recently, retiring in Canada and failing for the third time in a row in Q1
He has finished second and fourth in Barcelona the past two years. I think he’s capable of a good result in 2024 as well; Red Bull probably still has the best car in terms of aerodynamics, which will be extremely challenging in Spain.
I think it is likely that he will at least make it into the top six again this time. The double finish of the Red Bull drivers in the top 6 on the showpiece track brings Oddset great odds of 1.57.
Other than that, the stronger drivers from the top teams are likely to be at the front again this weekend. This includes Norris in particular, who still makes the difference in the race against the highly regarded talent Oscar Piastri.
The Briton is particularly mature when it comes to managing the tires. After four of the last five world championship races, he was allowed to spray champagne on the podium. He has finished on the podium a total of five times.
As the McLaren has performed superbly on every type of track since the major update in Florida, I expect him to make it into the top three again. The Bwin odds for this are great
The last 5 races at the Circuit de Catalunya:
Another recommendation on my part is currently a Winamax registration. During the European Championships you will receive a mega offer for new customers. They will practically give you a 200 euro free bet as a gift! Your first deposit will be doubled up to 200 euros in the form of free bet credit.
You can withdraw the winnings from the free bet directly. You only have to wager your deposit amount at 1.05 odds. I have never seen a better sports betting bonus.
You can also redeem the free bet in Formula 1. My tip would be that Norris even makes the top 2 at 2.10! But the 2.75 for Perez in the top 3 is also worth considering if Red Bull, as many expect, flexes its muscles in Spain.
And what are the chances for German driver Nico Hülkenberg? Rather poor. Aston Martin has recovered in Canada, Alpha Tauri is now looking better again and Alpine is also back at the front.
While Germany, like Hülkenberg, has six points in the standings, I assume that only the national team will add more on Sunday. If you still want to give it a try, a Hülkenberg points finish is being traded at 2.75 odds
Conclusion: The days when Verstappen can easily drive away at the front seem to be over for good, don’t they? If it doesn’t happen even in Barcelona, then Formula 1 enthusiasts can finally look forward to another great season.
One man who will be chasing him again and who forms a dangerous unit with his car in the race is Norris. Only in Monaco did he miss out on the podium in the last five races, finishing fourth. Mercedes could have been just a flash in the pan in Canada and I also rate Ferrari as weaker.
So there should still be room for Norris alongside Verstappen and a possible Perez. The decision was already spot on for the last World Championship race.
My Formula Spain GP betting tip: Norris in the top 3!
