Italian Grand Prix betting preview

Formula One / Editor / 21 August 2007 / Leave a Comment

The betting market will make interesting viewing when the Formula One circus heads to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix (September 9).

The race is hotting up for the Drivers and Constructors Championships, not only between the rival teams but also among team-mates!

The Italian Grand Prix is among the oldest on the F1 calendar, having hosted a race since 1921. Monza has been the home of the grand prix for the vast majority of that time and betting punters should take note that Ferrari have enjoyed plenty of success in northern Italy.

The home team have won six of the last nine races and that previous form is likely to see them feature heavily in the betting markets.

British fans looking for a bet on Lewis Hamilton will be heartened by the fact that Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill (2), Johnny Herbert and David Coulthard have all been victorious at the track.

Those victories though all came in the 90's and since then Michael Schumacher (five wins), Juan Pablo Montoya (two) and Rubens Barrichello (two) have dominated.

As a former winner, Coulthard may prove a popular bet to get among the points in Italy as the Red Bull driver has also had four other top-eight finishes at Monza.

Those punters checking out the odds of a Fernando Alonso win in the betting should take note of the Spaniard's poor record at Monza. The 26-year-old's has never won in Italy, his best finish was second in 2005, and he has twice been forced to retire.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen claimed pole position at Monza in the McLaren last year and although he was beaten in the race by Schumacher, his change of car is likely to see him feature heavily in the betting.

The home support and their speed in the straights is likely see a Ferrari driver head the odds before the race, as the they look to catch McLaren-BMW in the constructors battle.