Formula One / Scott Ferguson / 21 June 2009 / Leave a comment

Scott Ferguson looks at the Brazilian's recent form and record at Silverstone before deciding that the veteran driver is the man to be with this afternoon.

Will this be the last Grand Prix at Silverstone? Will this be the last credible F1 race in Britain? Will Max Moseley be holding a sado-masochistic role-playing party in his London penthouse this week? All important questions the British media must have answers for!

Silverstone is a great F1 circuit in that it allows plenty of overtaking. Just last year, we had Rubens Barrichello on the podium from 16th on the grid and four of the last five winners have not started on pole - three of those five were not even on the front row. Is Vettel a risk from the pole? His last three races haven't been flawless with a fourth (from P2), retirement (from P4) and third from pole.

The Red Bulls have set the early practice sessions alight. Changes to their aerodynamics have paid dividends, taking first and third on the grid. While we haven't seen any cause for it, we can assume Vettel will have the more favourable terms for team management. However I'd rather be laying him at odds-on and have the whole field on my side, than backing at red numbers.

With Brawn not quite so dominant in qualifying and Button back in sixth, their dominance looks to be dissipating. However Barrichello has a great record here with five podiums and looks to be some value. Three second placings this year have him salivating at the prospect of a race win and being two rows in front of Button, he has a great chance to be lead man for Brawn here.

With plenty of overtaking on the track and possible showers forecast, there could be some value in backing an outsider to scrape into the points. It's rather an understatement to say that the McLarens haven't had a great year, and qualifying 13th and 19th here doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. But Heiki Kovalainen has a decent record here (pole position last year) finishing in the points both times he has started here. He will be carrying more fuel than any other car and providing he doesn't get stitched up with rain arriving at the wrong time, a two-stop strategy should see him pick up a few places. At [4.75] and above, he's worth a nibble for a points finish.

Recommended Bets:

Barrichello to win at 5 and above.
Kovalainen to finish in the points at 4.75 and above