British Bits And Bobs

With this weekend’s race looking like little more than a battle between the Red Bulls, I’ve been ploughing through the statistics to see if there is anything that stands out.

Red Bull Return In Qualifying

Saturdays in 2010 have been all about one team. Although Lewis Hamilton may have taken pole position last time out in Canada, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel still managed second and third on the grid, despite opting to qualify on the harder compound tyre. For me, that is hardly a crashing fall from the the form that has seen them dominate Q3 so far this season; taking all of the previous seven pole positions.

On The Button In Turkey

It has been a testing week. I entered it knowing exactly how I wanted to play things, by backing Massa to outpoint Alonso before the media previews drew attention to his record around the Turkish circuit. Unfortunately with so few firms pricing up the head-to-heads early and so little liquidity on Betfair, by Thursday I had decided to cancel my unmatched bets and sit things out until the race. Alonso failing to make Q2 – a surprise to me –

First Lap Carnage in Catalunya

The old adage states that you can’t win the race at the first corner, but you can lose it. With the prospect of a processional race ahead of them, I just wonder how many drivers will remember this tomorrow. We are reaching that point where establishing supremacy both within your team and with your rivals can set the tone for the rest of season. Will some drivers think that it is time to gamble?

Pre-season Testing: Winners and Losers

The old adage states that analysis of lap times from pre-season is meaningless; set on unknown levels of fuel, without scrutineering and in the pursuit of unclear objectives. Yet despite this, it is only natural that we try to rationalise what we see happening. The internet has been buzzing for the last few weeks with coverage and discussion about individual driver and team’s performances at the three Spanish facilities

Back To The Front in Brazil

After yesterday’s eventful qualifying session, we are left with starting grid that few would have predicted. The headlines will focus on Barrichello finally turning up at his home circuit and Button handling the pressure like only a Brit knows how, but it is the performance of some of the supporting cast that I think gives the best opportunity make some money from the race.

Finger on the Button at Monza

Kimi Raikkonen’s use of his Kinetic Energy Recovery System – or KERS as it is widely known – was largely responsible for us turning a healthy profit at the last round of the World Championship in Belgium. It looks like the device again has a role to play this weekend, particularly in qualifying.

Podium Punts for Unpredictable Spa

An extremely interesting qualifying session has blown the markets wide open for tomorrow’s race. I’m writing this before the fuel weights are out, but I’m already pretty pleased with my Raikkonen bet. If he can gain a couple of places in the opening laps – utilising his KERS – then I think that he is well placed for a podium finish (unexpected Spa Francochamps occurrences withstanding).

Hungary for Success

With the likelihood that at least one of the Red Bull cars will be disadvantaged by having to run in dirty air and neither Button nor Barrichello dominating in the way that they did earlier in the season, I wonder whether we might see an unfamilliar face standing on the podium this weekend?

Young Guns at Monaco

I think that there is a very real possibility that Sebastian Vettel will win the Monaco Grand Prix. The Red Bull looks to be the most mechanically proficient car this season and this weekend, for the first time, Adrian Newey has bolted on a double-decker diffuser.