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2023 Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix: Betting Preview
Updated: | First published:
Written by Mac Douglass, Senior Editor
The wait, at long last, is over: Formula 1 returns this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix, the inaugural race of the 2023 F1 season. Now 21 years old, the 3.36 mile Bahrain International Circuit has long been a fan favorite, with technical corners and windy conditions opening the door for pulse pounding action replete with overtakes. While last year’s edition was dominated by Ferrari and Mercedes, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finishing first and second, respectively, followed by Lewis Hamilton (3) and George Russell (4), F1 fans are anticipating a serious shake-up in 2023, with this weekend’s GP setting the tone for a thrilling season to come. Here are our best bets for the season opener.
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2023 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix Betting Preview
When?
Practice: Friday, March 3rd, 7:00 am E.T.
Qualifier: Saturday, March 4th, 10:00 am E.T.
Race: Sunday, March 5th, 10:00 am E.T.
Where?
Bahrain International Circuit—Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain
What’s at stake?
Following a 2022 season utterly dominated by Constructors’ Cup champion Red Bull in general, and Drivers’ Cup champion Max Verstappen specifically, Bahrain will serve as a critical barometer of whether any team on the grid can meaningfully challenge Red Bull in 2023. While Ferrari is generally expected to present the top competition this season, last weekend’s testing sessions indicated that Red Bull’s offseason improvements may have trumped their Italian competitors’, a troubling sign for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The same is true for Mercedes, whose poor testing performance has left fans crestfallen, given the high expectations surrounding the German automaker’s ability to regain their former glory with a full offseason at their disposal. On a more positive note, Aston Martin appears to have made massive strides ahead of the 2023 F1 season, with some experts suggesting the addition of Fernando Alonso may have catapulted Aston Martin into consistent podium-contender territory.
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Bahrain Grand Prix Best Bet
Red Bull pick up where they left off, Verstappen taking first. In 2022, the only so-called “deficiency” with Red Bull’s race car was an overweight chassis that gave Ferrari, whose straight-line pace was on par with Red Bull’s, an edge in qualifying. That problem was addressed in the offseason. With their new-and-improved lightweight chassis, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez show every indication of dominating from the jump in 2023.
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Aston Martin outscores Mercedes. If last week’s test sessions were any indication, Aston Martin should dominate Mercedes in Bahrain, establishing themselves as a top-three team behind Red Bull, and on par, or possibly even ahead of, Ferrari. With that said, Mercedes has been too good for too long to write off before the season begins, and Lawrence Stroll’s Aston Martin team has yet to prove they’re capable of the breakthrough forecasted for 2023. Expect Aston Martin to outscore Mercedes in Bahrain, but not by much.
Alfa Romeo regress. Despite boasting a pair of solid drivers, Alfa Romeo underwhelmed in last week’s testing. There’s little cause for optimism surrounding their performance in 2023, given the offseason upgrades made by so many of their competitors, most notably Haas. Besides Williams, and perhaps Alpha Tauri, Alfa Romeo’s pace looks to be near the bottom of the grid all year, with any points finishes being owed to their admirable reliability.
Mac Douglass specializes in NFL previews for the NFC South and NFC East, MLB best bets, Formula 1 race previews, and professional tennis insights. Combining predictive simulations and data-driven sports analysis, Mac provides in-depth content to elevate the betting experience for sports fans.
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