F1 Tips: 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix

<p>It’s go time for Formula 1 in 2024 as the season gets underway in Bahrain this weekend.</p> <p>We start once again at the Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir, where last year’s winner was – surprise, surprise – Max Verstappen, who won all but three races in 2023.</p> <p>Season opening races often throw up quirky results, like last year’s DNF from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc or Lance Stroll of Aston Martin finishing sixth while driving with a broken wrist.</p> <p>The F1 teams have completed three days of testing at this very same track, and to no one’s surprise, Red Bull turned in the best results, followed by Ferrari and Mercedes.</p> <p>Once again there are two Australians in the field, young gun Oscar Piastri back for his second season at McLaren and Daniel Ricciardo with the not-so-catchily re-named Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team (formerly Alpha Tauri).</p>

<p><strong>Best Bet</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1/f1-bahrain-grand-prix-7980120">Max Verstappen</a>&nbsp;- $1.72 (Overall Qualification Winner)</strong></p> <p>Qualifying first isn’t always a given, even for someone as dominant as Verstappen. But he did take pole position in more than half the races last year (13 of 22), including Bahrain. With Max pretty short in the Outright Betting market ($1.27) this might be the better play.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Next Best</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1/f1-bahrain-grand-prix-7980120">Max Verstappen to Win the Race and Sergio Perez to Finish on the Podium</a> - $1.72 (BYO Sportsbet)</strong></p> <p>Both Red Bull drivers performed superbly in pre-season testing, so it’s not unreasonable to think that they’ll end up on the podium together. Again, it’s about trying to find some more value in what is likely to be a Verstappen victory.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Value Bet</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1/f1-bahrain-grand-prix-7980120">Charles Leclerc to Finish on the Podium and Carlos Sainz to Finish in the Top 6</a> - $2 (BYO Sportsbet)</strong></p> <p>While not in Red Bull’s class during pre-season testing, the new Ferrari SF-24 turned in some impressive times and perhaps more importantly, both drivers – Leclerc and Sainz – seem more comfortable and confident with this year’s model.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Oscar Piastri Bet</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1/f1-bahrain-grand-prix-7980120">Oscar Piastri</a> - $1.40 (Points Finish)</strong></p> <p>As it was last year, Piastri’s success has made punting on him much trickier. In the season opener, with plenty to play out, it makes sense to hope for a top ten Points Finish, which can be part of a weekend multi.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ricciardo Bet</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1/f1-bahrain-grand-prix-7980120">Daniel Ricciardo</a> - $1.71 (Points Finish)</strong></p> <p>Similar areas to Piastri, but you’ll find more value here for Danny Ric in the Points Finish market. The To Be Classified market is far too short ($1.10), so you’ll have to roll the dice and hope the Visa Cash App Racing Bull can finish in the points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Odds are accurate as of the 29/02/24. Odds are subject to change.</p>