Formula 1: Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
Venue: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Italy
Race Date: 1st November 2020
Race Preview
Following his win at the Portuguese Grand Prix last time out, Lewis Hamilton took his tally to 92 career wins – surpassing Michael Schumacher as the Formula One driver with the most wins of all time. His win in the Algarve took his lead in the 2020 F1 Driver’s Championship to over 75 points and he looks on the cusp of a 7th F1 World Championship Title. The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix finds itself back in the Formula One calendar as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic taking a hold on world travel and the iconic circuit should be a great test for every driver on the grid. As the home of Ferrari, the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is one of the few courses in the world to run in an anti-clockwise direction and will be hosting a Formula One race for the first time since 2006.
Betting Preview
Race Winner
With only 5 races to go in the truncated Formula One season, it is very much now or never for some drivers and teams in San Marino here: –
His win in Portugal last week propelled Lewis Hamilton a huge step closer to his 7th F1 world championship and his 92nd career win sees him stand alone at the top of the all-time standings. With three wins from his last four races, he looks to have the bit between his teeth, and he will be very difficult to stop here.
Following a solid drive in Portugal last week, Valtteri Bottas looks well placed to make it a Mercedes 1-2 this season in the world championship race. His race wins this season have only come when Hamilton has made mistakes and he will be hoping to put that right this weekend.
Max Verstappen continues to push the Mercedes boys all the way and a win here would really do him and his team some good. His win at the British Grand Prix back in August now seems a distant memory but his solid race in Portugal last week could give him a real boost as he looks to put the pressure on Valtteri Bottas above him.
Charles Leclerc finished 4th last time out in Portugal, and he will be looking to climb the seasonal standings here as he currently sits 5th. It has been a very tough season for Ferrari but the young Monégasque driver will be looking to etch his place into the Ferrari history books here.
First Driver to Retire
The novelty factor of the San Marino Circuit could put pay to many drivers this weekend:-
Haas have announced that Romain Grosjean will be leaving the team at the end of the season and he and the team have struggled for a couple of seasons now and his tendency to get caught up in needless scuffles, often costs him his place in the race.
Williams have endured an underwhelming season and with the future of the company in serious doubt, Nicholas Latifi looks to have a tough afternoon ahead of him in San Marino on Sunday.
Top Six Finish
2020 has thrown up its fair share of thrills and spills already this season and there will be plenty of racers fancying their chances of cracking the top 6 in San Marino this weekend:-
Mexican Sergio Perez has been in fine form for Racing Point this season and he finished agonisingly close to the top 6 in Portugal last time out.
McLaren look to have found a gem of a driver in Carlos Sainz and he looks to be part of Ferrari’s plans next year and a solid drive here would boost his profile even more.
Frenchman Pierre Gasly produced a stunning performance to win at Monza last month and his 5th place finish in Portugal last week is sure to boost his confidence even more.
F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Best Bets:
Race Winner: Lewis Hamilton – 0.40
