Brazilian Grand Prix predictions & F1 betting tips

The pressure is definitely mounting as the Formula 1 season heads towards its conclusion and we expect more drama this weekend when the Brazilian Grand Prix takes place in Sao Paulo.

Max Verstappen, who still leads the Drivers’ Championship, came in for a lot of criticism after last weekend’s race in Mexico, as he received a combined 20-second penalty for two separate incidents involving title rival Lando Norris, who described the Dutchman’s driving as “dangerous”.

Just 47 points separate the two drivers with four races and 120 points still up for grabs so it’s understandable why nerves are frayed and tension is growing between the drivers, which has boiled over in the last two races.

In the United States, Norris was the one penalised as he went off the track while trying to overtake Verstappen, before a similar incident last weekend when Verstappen was judged not to give his rival space as he tried to overtake again, forcing Norris off the track.

Having seen his lead in the title race trimmed, worse could be to come for Verstappen amid talk he may face a grid penalty for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

That’s resulted in Verstappen being pushed right out to 12/1 with some betting sites to win at Interlagos for the second year running with Norris the 2/1 favourite.

Both drivers will need to be wary of a resurgent Ferrari team though that’s won the last two races and it’s set to be another three-way battle for top spot on the podium.

The fact that Verstappen’s Red Bull is being continually outpaced by both McLaren and Ferrari is a real concern not only for the three-time world champion in the title race but also the constructors as Red Bull now sit third in the Constructors Championship, 54 points behind the leaders McLaren.

F1 betting sites have pushed Red Bull out to 50/1 to take the title, which they have won for the last two years, with McLaren 7/15 and Ferrari 2/1 - that could change very quickly if the Italians can achieve two more podium finishes in Brazil.

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have both been on the podium in the last two races with one victory apiece and the F1 betting suggests they could be in the top three once more with a Ferrari double podium finish priced at 11/10.

The Scuderia have been the major beneficiaries of the recent scraps between Norris and Verstappen, and if those two become embroiled in another duel, we could get another Ferrari winner with Leclerc the most likely.

Norris was second at this race last year and will be pushing very hard for at least a podium finish.

Whether he serves a grid penalty or not, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Verstappen found himself in the fight for first in a race where the Red Bull driver has finished no lower than sixth in his last seven starts.

Brazilian Grand Prix prediction 1: Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris to finish on the podium and Max Verstappen in the top six - 15/8 Bet365

This weekend is the penultimate sprint race of the season, and it’s no surprise with their recent race pace that Ferrari are favourites on most betting apps.

But this is a format where Verstappen seems to come into his own. Despite not having won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in June he has dominated the sprints, including just two weeks ago.

He has won all four sprints this season in China, Miami, Austria and the US Grand Prix, bringing his total to 11 sprint races from the 16 F1 has staged since the format was introduced.

You can get 9/1 on him taking top spot this weekend and it would be another much-needed eight points as he chases his fourth consecutive championship.

Brazilian Grand Prix predictions 2: Max Verstappen to win the sprint - 9/1 QuinnBet

Bettors looking to have a wager on this weekend’s action in Sao Paulo will find they can get up to £50 in free bets and a £20 casino bonus when they join Fafabet.

The Fafabet sign-up offer works in a couple of ways. Firstly, you’ll need to sign up and make an initial deposit before placing a wager at odds of evens (2.0) or greater.

There are four different levels to the Fafabet offer, with free bets and casino bonuses awarded for placing qualifying wagers of between £10 and over £100. If you bet the minimum of £10, you’ll receive a £5 free bets and £5 bonus to use at Fafabet’s best online casino.

A qualifying bet of £100 or more will net a £20 free bet and £10 casino bonus. However, if your account shows a loss at the end of the first day, you’ll get 50 per cent of your losses back as a free bet, up to £50.

Fafabet give you the highest applicable reward and all qualifying bets and free bets are eligible to be wagered on F1.

It is vital that anyone who uses gambling sites remembers to gamble responsibly, whether they’re a beginner or a seasoned bettor. You’re never guaranteed to make certain profit, no matter how knowledgeable you may be about the subject.

Bettors should only wager what they can afford to lose, so it is best to assume that you will lose when placing a bet.

Nowadays, the safest betting sites offer plenty of tools so that customers can manage their usage, including deposit limits, time-outs, loss limits and even self-exclusion.

If you have concerns over your gambling, seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that can offer you support, advice and relevant information, including:

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