F1: Verstappen favorite again in Saudi Arabia, but all eyes on Alonso

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Despite fighting off a stomach virus, Max Verstappen starts as the favorite, but Fernando Alonso will have widespread support this weekend when the Formula One season resumes at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Two-time world champion Verstappen will be the man to beat with Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes in hot pursuit, following his commanding victory in Bahrain, ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.

Verstappen won this race last year, but only by 1/2-sec. over the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.

“We have a strong car for this track, but I don’t expect it to be easy,” said the 25-year-old, who praised several modifications made to the circuit after complaints about the danger of poor visibility at certain corners last season.

“The changes have improved things, hopefully. It was definitely dangerous in some areas for the drivers.”

“I think that we found, in Bahrain, that we were strong in things that maybe we won’t have in Jeddah, or in Melbourne,” Alonso explained.

“So, if we are strong again, in these two races, I think we are going to have a very good year.

“I am curious about these races – very different circuits, with high-speed corners and very low degradation. It’s going to be very different.”

Odds to Win 2023 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

Note: Odds expressed in terms of money, with $100 being the standard. If the odds are minus (–), then that amount of money must be wagered to win $100. (e.g. –150 means you must bet $150 to win $100.) If the odds are plus (+), that amount of money would be earned on a successful $100 wager. (e.g. +150 means you make $150 on a $100 wager.)

In the wake of his dominating performance in Bahrain, Verstappen has emerged as a heavy -225 favorite in the Saudi Arabia Grand prix odds to do it again this weekend. Sergio Perez sits a distant second at +600, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc sports +900 odds to rebound after being forced to retire early in Bahrain.