One of the most popular most sports to bet on is Formula 1, also known as F1. Thousands of players bet on their favourite drivers in each Grand Prix.
At Unibet, we strive to give you the most entertaining experience while betting on F1, providing you with a wide variety of appealing ways to bet. In the past, it was only possible to bet on the winner of F1, luckily things have changed and now there are multiple ways to enjoy a bet on F1, with hundreds of markets to bet on during the season and also in-play.
F1 brings massive challenges to teams competing in races and even the slightest pitstop error or minimal change to the car can lower a driver’s chance of winning.
You don’t have to be a revhead or speed freak to enjoy the world of F1 betting. In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the information you’ll need to have a better understanding of F1, and of course, how to bet on this spectacular sport.
What is Formula 1?
Seen by many as the absolute greatest of all motor sports and with cars reaching speeds of up to 220mph, it’s no wonder why this a truly thrilling sport to watch and bet on.
Then there’s the glamour of the sport – with tracks in luxurious locations world-wide such as Monte-Carlo and Monza, plus all that champagne and not so bad-looking drivers, it’s clear why this is such a popular sport.
You should see around 20 cars at the start of each F1 Grand Prix race, usually split between 10 teams with two cars designated to each team.
Each season should see around 21 Grands Prix but this can vary. Every F1 race must be over 189.5 miles long and due to the fact that every track is different, the amount of laps a driver must complete also changes. The F1 season runs from March to November and is a truly global sport with tracks situated all over the world.
The driver’s finishing position determines how many points they receive and this adds up throughout the season until one lucky driver is crowned the F1 Drivers’ Champion. Not only are drivers awarded points, points are also awarded to teams so there’s also a Constructors’ Championship for the taking.
With F1 betting, there are a huge number of factors that can affect a race’s outcome with each track providing unique challenges to both car and driver. Monaco or Shanghai, with all their twists and turns put a lot of strain on the gearbox, enduring thousands of gear shifts throughout these races. Bahrain and Monza – both custom-made tracks, for example, challenge the vehicle’s speed and power with other tracks placing emphasis on drivability and aerodynamics. The importance of the race car is hugely significant and should never be understated when betting on F1.
The Different Bet Types in F1 Betting
There are predominantly three different bet types when betting on F1, chiefly whether you decide to bet on long-term results, outright betting and live in-play betting on forthcoming competitions and races.
Outright Betting on F1
Similar to other sports, outright betting on F1 is when you bet on the winner of any given Grand Prix. As the simplest way of betting on F1, with outright betting you are given a variety of odds for the F1 drivers taking part in the race. If you’re new to the sport, or new to betting on the sport, this is probably the best kind of bet to start with.
If you wish to place an outright bet, simply select the odds that Unibet has on offer and then input the amount of money you wish to wager. Once this step has been completed, your potential winnings will be displayed. If your chosen driver wins the race, you win the bet.
Betting on a finishing position is another attractive way to outright bet on F1 with Unibet. Restricted to only include the 3 possible podium places, or top 3 finishers, when betting on F1, you choose which driver you think will finish in positions 1 to 3.
EXAMPLE:
Max Verstappen has odds of 13/1 to win a race with the odds of Verstappen finishing in the top 3 set at 2/1. You’re looking at a safer bet with the podium finish and with comes shorter odds and a lower return.
Long-Term F1 Betting
Season-length markets are another way you can place a bet on F1. In this instance, you bet on which team will win the season. Although similar to outright betting, the biggest distinction between these two types of bet is that you’re now betting on which team or driver will win the most amount of points in an F1 season.
There can be great odds swings throughout each F1 season. Let’s take a closer how this can affect your bet.
EXAMPLE:
A team win 8 out of 12 of their first Grands Prix, which in turn would see their odds of winning the Constructors’ Championship shift the team to becoming favourites. As the season develops, a rival team could advance as the season continues and this will see changes in the odds of each team. Experienced players will try and anticipate the ideal time during a season when to place a bet on the title.
Formula 1 – Live Betting
If you enjoy the thrill of betting on F1 in-play, here at Unibet we offer you the opportunity to do just that. Determination and quick decision-making skills are essential characteristics of a successful in-play bettor. With other sports such as tennis, football or basketball you can go far by studying form and taking on a universal approach to your betting. The difference with in-play betting on F1 is that you’re continually reassessing your judgments on a race, sometimes in situations with a complex dynamic. Needless to say, you should always try to be one step ahead when live betting on Formula 1.
Tactical advantages can appear when a driver makes their pitstop, which they must do at least once during a race to change tyres. Judging when this might happen is a great method of giving yourself the edge while betting in-play on F1.
Commentators are an extremely valuable source of information when you’re watching F1. These guys are absolute experts in the field and listening to them serves as a handy way of monitoring timings throughout the race. If you’re looking to see when a particular driver is going to make a pit stop, you can listen to this information coming from the drivers’ radios.
Should you think that a driver may be pitting at the incorrect time, this could be a deciding factor on not betting on them. On the other side of the coin, this could be a great opportunity for you to back that particular driver’s rival in the race.
F1 Qualifying Betting
A driver’s qualifying performance before the race is also a powerful indicator of how they will perform during the race proper. Qualifying races are held on the Saturday before the race, where each team attempt to set the fastest possible lap time which in turn determines their place on the starting grid. Often overlooked by players who bet on Formula 1, this is actually an integral part of the racing weekend, sometimes being just as important as the actual race itself.
Influences such as the type of circuit and how well a car performs on any given circuit are also components which should be considered. During the three qualifying sessions, drivers attempt to avoid the cut-off point and move on to the next stage. Factors to take into account are cars with the best handling ability or performance during straightaways, which could determine which driver makes the fastest lap time.
You could view betting on qualifying races as an introduction or warm up to the race itself. Qualifying times are something all people that regularly bet on F1 take into consideration. With the action coming thick and fast, it’s definitely something you need to be aware of.
‘One-two’ is a term used in F1 betting. Simply put, this is when a single Formula 1 team qualifies in both first and second place, therefore ‘locking out’ the front row of the starting grid. Drivers aspire to work together and block opponents in this way.
Penalties in F1 can be incurred by teams for reasons including breaking various rules regarding the car itself or a penalty relating directly to the driver for something he or she has done during the race.