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2023 Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix: Betting Preview
Updated: | First published:
Written by Mac Douglass, Senior Editor
As the Formula 1 season hurtles towards its summer break, excitement reaches a crescendo for the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps Circuit. Spa, one of the most cherished tracks among Formula 1 drivers—not to mention the sport’s longest, at 7.004 km—presents a daunting, exhilarating challenge. Its combination of lengthy straights and challengingly quick corners push drivers to the edge of their capabilities. Belgium’s unpredictable weather adds another twist: constant rain showers are on the forecast this weekend, as is true almost every year. Toss in wild track elements like Spa’s Eau Rouge, one of the most famous sequences of corners in the world, after which drivers ascend the equally notorious hill through Raidillon, and F1 fans are all but guaranteed a heart-stopping spectacle of speed, skill, and betting opportunity.
Dimers.com F1 expert Mac Douglass takes a look at the best bets for the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix.
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2023 Belgian F1 Grand Prix Betting Preview
When?
Grand Prix Qualifier: Friday, July 28, 11:00 am E.T.
Sprint Qualifier a.k.a. Sprint Shootout: Saturday, July 29, 6:00 am E.T.
Sprint Race: Saturday, July 29, 10:30 am E.T.
Grand Prix: Sunday, July 30, 11:00 am E.T.
Where?
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps—Spa, Belgium
What’s at stake?
Heading into Formula 1’s four-week summer break, Red Bull continues to dominate, even as McLaren’s stunningly effective midseason upgrades have jettisoned Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from the back of the grid to weekly podium contenders. With Aston Martin and Ferrari struggling, Mercedes looks to be McLaren’s only genuine competition for Formula 1’s “second fastest team” title.
Lastly, I’d be remiss not to mention Danny Ricciardo, who will be racing in his second grand prix of the 2023 season. The Australian fan-favorite drove fairly well last weekend in Hungary; however, Ricciardo’s 13th-place finish was probably near the ceiling of his sluggish Alpha Tauri’s capabilities, and bettors should avoid him in Belgium, despite sportsbooks trying to sucker you in with seemingly competitive odds for a Ricciardo points finish.
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Belgian Grand Prix Best Bets
In Formula 1, a hat trick means first place finishes in qualifying and the grand prix, as well as fastest lap (importantly, it does not include results from Saturday’s Sprint Race or Sprint Shootout). Max Verstappen typically dominates at Spa, and his second-place finish in last weekend’s qualifying session is just the sort of thing to compel Verstappen, quite unnecessarily, to make a statement in Belgium. The only question mark is fastest lap. But Verstappen has made clear, time and time again, that he can and will secure every point available. At +160, this is great value.
Max Verstappen Hat Trick (+160 with FanDuel Sportsbook)
FanDuel allows you to assemble a same-race top-six parlay up to three drivers. This trio is a great combination. Since McLaren debuted their upgrade package a month ago, neither Piastri and Norris has sniffed a finish worse than fifth. As for George Russell, we pegged him for top six last week, and despite qualifying 18th(!), Mercedes’ young star still came through for us, battling his way past both Ferraris in Hungary’s final laps, thus securing our payout. Look for a better qualifying session from Russell this week, and another top six finish.
George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris all top six (+172 with FanDuel Sportsbook)
For all their historical struggles, Williams has been sneaky good in 2023, and Alex Albon has been downright excellent. Add to that that Williams is known to perform well in the rain, and that this year’s William’s is one of the fastest straight-line racecars on the grid. Spa is rainy. Spa is packed with long straights. Albon, who finished in the points last year in Belgium in a much slower car, is awfully enticing at +120.
Alex Albon Top 10 (+120 with FanDuel Sportsbook)
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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