Hamilton Has a Chance to Extend His Sequence in Singapore
Lewis Hamilton has won at least one race in every one of his 15 previous seasons in Formula 1. But a race victory has eluded the Mercedes driver in 2022. The seven-time world champion has gone close – he has claimed six podium finishes during the year. The Brit now has six more races to find a victory and keep his remarkable run intact.
Singapore’s narrow and twisty Marina Bay Circuit is sure to see its fair share of accidents and incidents on Sunday. ©MercedesF1
Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix – a race Hamilton has won four times in the past – possibly represents the best opportunity for the 103-time race winner to extend his sequence. He may be available at 14/1 with the bookmakers, but experts believe he can excel this weekend.
Downforce Form Suggests Mercedes Will Shine
The key to his chances at Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit is downforce. Tracks with lower speeds, shorter straights, and a tight twisting nature require bundles of it. Recent form suggests Hamilton’s Mercedes performs best under these conditions.
Before the sport’s summer break, Hamilton finished second in the Hungarian Grand Prix. On his return, he looked set to win the Dutch Grand Prix before safety car periods ruined his chances. These results are significant because both tracks are, like Singapore, described as ‘high downforce’ circuits.
Underlining the improving Mercedes linking for downforce, Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell also finished on the podium in Hungary and was second in Holland. The only stumbling block for people who plan to support either driver in the popular ‘podium finish’ betting market is the Singapore circuit itself.
Avoiding the Bumps in the Road
Narrow, wall-lined, bumpy with disruptive curbs and 23 corners, Marina Bay Street Circuit is a magnate for race-ending collisions. There have been 12 previous Singapore Grand Prix staged at this venue. Every one has required at least one safety car period.
If successfully negotiating a clear passage and not being blighted by an ill-timed safety car, Hamilton should repay those that support him at even money for a podium finish. It is possible that the punters who back him each way at 14/1 in the race-win market could also see a return. Second place would be good enough to collect. And Lewis has taken two silver medals from his past five race starts.
The 2008 Singapore Grand Prix field following the safety car – something that has been required in every race staged at the venue since. ©MercedesF1
Race Predictions Based on Prices
For reference, the best sports betting sites disagree over Sunday’s race requiring the intervention of a safety car for the 13th consecutive time. Quoted at 1/6 in places, BetVictor offers an industry top price of 1/4.
The odds compilers at William Hill bookmakers set the line on the number of classified race finishers at 16.5. The ‘under’ scenario was quickly backed down from an opening 5/6 quote into 8/11. It begs the question, who will the predicted four (or more) non-finishers be?
In a ‘not to be classified’ market, bookmakers have Hamilton, Russell and Verstappen priced at 6/1. Considered more likely to falter are Bottas, Latifi, Schumacher and Tsunoda. 7/2 is the best odds available on any of the quartet.
