USA: pre-race 2023


And so, finally, the sprint tedium is done with and we come to the race. I didn’t watch/listen to the sprint, which is unusual but the late hour just added to the format’s annoyance. In it, Leclerc lost out to Hamilton and Perez rose a few places, but otherwise it was mostly formation flying.

Early Betting Thoughts

Norris, win each way

Verstappen win each way

Piastri top 6

 

Norris starts second behind Leclerc, and the Monegasque has an unfortunate habit of going backwards (or having excellent qualifying, if you prefer). Leclerc will also have a decent shot of being hindered by Ferrari strategy. While I suspect Verstappen will end up winning, Norris has a decent shot of retaining second place. Norris is 7 to win, although Leclerc out at 13 does make me wonder about that.

Verstappen has a lot of pace and the fastest car, and is 1.36 to win. Too short to tempt.

In the sprint, Piastri went from 5th to 10th, and he starts the race in 10th. However, he is quick and his car is very good. At 1.85, and given his result in the sprint, I’m not inclined to back this. Too short.

 

And so I perused the markets:

Leclerc, win each way

Hamilton, win each way

Leclerc starts on pole, which makes 13 to win seem rather extravagant. However, he got passed in the sprint and then left in the dust of Hamilton, while Norris was a tiny margin behind. It seems like the other teams have better cars on race pace.

Hamilton passed Leclerc in the sprint and while he was unable to match Verstappen he did build up a big lead over the Monegasque. For the race, he starts in 3rd place, however. At 6, iffy deciding between this and Norris to win each way. Either could make sense.

 

In the end, I backed Hamilton at 6.5 for winner each way. He did well in the sprint and comparing the team mates, Russell did better than Piastri, implying the Mercedes is enjoying the circuit.

The race starts at 8pm UK time.

 

Morris Dancer

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