Round 5 of the 2023 F1 season comes from the Miami International Autodrome. So far this season it’s been the Red Bull show, with Max Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez looking like the only drivers in with a chance of winning the championship. What will happen this week when the two Red Bull drivers clash? Let’s take a look with our latest Formula 1 betting picks.
- What; 2023 Miami Grand Prix - F1 Round 5
- Where; Miami International Autodrome, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA
- When; Sunday, May 7th, 2023
- Time; 3.30 pm ET
- Laps; 57
- Race Length; 308.326 km
Are we actually about to get a contest for the 2023 Drivers Championship? So far this season has been dominated by both of the Red Bulls. But it wasn’t meant to be both, just Max Verstappen, as many thought he would just cruise to his third world crown in three years.
But no one seems to have told Perez, who won his second race of the season in Azerbaijan last week. And in doing so, Perez closed the gap on Verstappen (who also has two wins this season) at the top of the championship to just six points.
A quick recap on our state of play as we enter another race week 📊#F1 pic.twitter.com/4p4b4typ1s
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 1, 2023
As last season showed, there is little love lost between Verstappen and Perez. The Mexican driver was unhappy last year, as was shown when he was refused permission to attack Verstappen in the Spanish Grand Prix.
Tensions continued to rise, and then later in the season Verstappen - with the Drivers Championship already secured - refused to switch spots with Perez on the final lap in Brazil. At the time second place in the drivers championship was still on the line for Perez, and the extra points would have helped. The drivers were in P6 and P7 at the time. So it’s not like Verstappen was foregoing a Grand Prix victory.
No doubt this has not been forgotten by the Mexican. And with Team Principal Christian Horner saying the drivers are free to compete (for now), it seems no quarter will be conceded by Sergio Perez.
Betting to win the Drivers Championship
It would seem that despite the performances of Perez this season, the best Formula 1 online betting sites don’t see him as a threat just yet. The top sportsbooks still have Max Verstappen as a heavy odds-on favorite to win the title at -800. Sergio Perez is +800, with Fernando Alonso next at +2000.
Betting to win the Miami Grand Prix
Moving on to this weekend, and the betting between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez is far closer. The best sportsbooks make Verstappen their favorite at -225. Sergio Perez is second in the betting at +300, and after his improved performance in Azerbaijan, Charles Leclerc is third at +1200.
This represents a huge step forward for Ferrari who had been struggling this season. Leclerc’s third place in Baku was his and the team’s first podium finish of 2023, and could be a sign that they are finally getting their act together.
Elsewhere, Fernando Alonso is next in the betting at +1400, with Lewis Hamilton out at +2500. Showing just how far off the pace his Mercedes team currently is.
More betting for the Miami Grand Prix is available on our F1 odds table below. We’ve taken the odds from the best online betting sites. And you can read more about the offers these sportsbooks currently have available on our betting bonuses and promotions page.
| Formula 1; 2023 Miami Grand Prix Betting |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | -225 | -225 | -225 |
| Sergio Perez | +300 | +300 | +300 |
| Charles Leclerc | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Fernando Alonso | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Carlos Sainz | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
| George Russell | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Lance Stroll | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Lando Norris | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Pierre Gasly | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Esteban Ocon | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Valtteri Bottas | +50000 | +50000 | +50000 |
Our Miami Grand Prix Betting Picks
Onto our picks for this weekend’s race, and after what we witnessed last week, and also heard in the aftermath, we may be best to give Max Verstappen a swerve this week.
The Miami International Autodrome might not be an out and out street circuit, but as a custom built temporary racecourse, it’s not what would be classed as a normal F1 track either.
As Christian Horner said after the win by Perez in Baku, he now needs to do it on a normal track, rather than just on street circuits (where all of the wins from Perez have come from so far).
So, even though it would surprise absolutely nobody if Verstappen coasts to victory on Sunday, it surely makes more sense to wager on Sergio Perez instead. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. Our Formula 1 betting pick to win the Miami Grand Prix is Sergio Perez at +300.
Pole Position Pick
Elsewhere, and for our second pick for this race, we’re looking at pole position. Last week we saw the return to some sort of form for Ferrari, and Charles Leclerc. Verstappen is -150 to start from pole position, with Leclerc at +260, and Perez at +350. Next is Carlos Sainz at +2000, so it looks like a three-horse race to be first on the grid.
Again, it’s a slight risk with Verstappen in the field, but we think it’s worthwhile placing a small wager on either of Charles Leclerc or Sergio Perez to take pole position. Either of these guys have a chance of taking the top spot. Charles Leclerc did it last year, and we’re backing him to do it again.
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