22nd June 2012
Formula One Betting: Red Bull's Vettel to land pole once again in Valencia
European Grand Prix Qualifying
Another street like circuit is on the menu for this weeks Grand Prix in Valencia as we reach the eighth leg of the 2012 Formula One Championship. The European Grand Prix, as its formerly known is not the favourite with the drivers and the lack of overtaking opportunities means its low on the list of must watch races for the fans also. First staged in 2008 and was supposed to be the new Monaco but with wider straights, it works to a certain extent but the odd kink here and there nullifies the effect of the DRS and the emphasis on a good qualifying spot here is greater than in most places.
The aftermath of Canada where Lewis Hamilton got back into the game for McLaren was that the bookmakers have now made him favourite for the title, a 7/4 shot with Ladbrokes and he leads the 2011 Champion Sebastian Vettel by just three points and we have Fernando Alonso wedged in between them making it a fascinating battle between the trio.
It’s been well documented that we have had seven different winners in as many races but can we really make it eight here in Valencia? If that was the case then Michael Schumacher would be the most likely outcome as he landed the Mercedes on pole at Monaco and may well have scored heavily there but for his grid penalty. This is a similar configuration so no reason why he cant get involved with the likes of Vettel and Hamilton this week.
Another possible candidate would be one of the Lotus drivers, Romain Grosjean has been very impressive so far this season and has a terrific record around the circuit here in Spain, he won his GP2 race in 2008 and then again in 2011 so knows what it takes and has been pretty quick in qualifying once or twice this season.
Ferrari have shown improved form recently and Alonso will be determined to bring some cheer to his beloved Spanish fans, he has been very competitive in the race and if he can just get himself near the front of the grid for Sunday he will be hard to beat. His teammate Massa has come alive all of a sudden suggesting the overall car has improved.
In the first practice session it was the Williams driver Pastor Maldonado that recorded the quickest time just ahead of the Red Bulls of Vettel and Webber. Jensen Button showed improved performance after some disappointing weeks and was fourth fastest. In the afternoon session it was Sebastian Vettel who came out on top but it’s to know what to make of it as the top eight were from seven different teams and McLaren was not one of them!
Vettel is the favourite for pole at around 9/4 which looks decent enough value when you think he was always around evens last season after topping any of the practice sessions. As an alternative you could do worse than follow Schumacher and hope he repeats his Monaco showing and he can backed at around 10/1 and an each way is advised.
Selections: To Finish On Pole
2pts Sebastian Vettel 9/4 Bet365
1pt EW Michael Schumacher 10/1 Betfred (1,2,3)
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Author: Pitstop Pete
