F1 Korean GP Preview

The 2012 Formula One season reaches race number 16 this weekend as Korea plays hosts to the latest action, just who will be celebrating victory in ‘Sweet Sixteen’?

This is the third time that Korea has held a Grand Prix with the two previous races having been won by Sebastian Vettel (2011) and Fernando Alonso (2010). These two are coincidentally the names battling it out for the Drivers Title this year. After victory for the German last weekend in Japan and with Alonso crashing out the gap between the two in the standings is now down to just four points with the Spaniard holding a slender lead. It is Vettel who is now the 11/17 (BWin) favourite to lift the title while Alonso is 20/11 (pinnacle). These odds look hard to argue with as the Red Bull looks the much stronger car at the moment (it has been five races without a win for Ferrari).

With two wins from his last two starts it is little surprise to see the Red Bull of Vettel favourite once more. The German is priced 7/4 (general) to complete the hat-trick on a track in which he won last year and backing Vettel to win looks the way to go again. Vettel showed last year that if you get an early lead here in a fast car it becomes near impossible to be caught. Throw in the fact that you have a Red Bull car with double DRS on a track that has extended the DRS zone to eighty metres and it all plays into the hands of Vettel.

I also like the look of the other Red Bull to finish on the podium at 7/4 (general). Mark Webber finished second behind Vettel in Japan and I see no reason the Australian can not do the same again here on a track that suits his car.

Bookmakers think the nearest challenge will come from Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren. The Brit is a 7/2 (general) chance for victory as he aims to end the season and his McLaren career in style. Hamilton had a terrible time of things in qualifying in Japan and just finished fifth in the race. I do not share the optimism of McLaren chief Martin Whitmarsh that his car can compete here never mind the blind faith he has that his drivers are still in the title race. Others expected to go well are Jenson Button in the other McLaren who is 8/1 (sportingbet) third favourite. Fernando Alonso is 81/10 (pinnacle) while Lotus duo Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean are 16/1 (BetVictor) and 33/1 (general) to take the chequered flag in front. Those who will be expected to push for a top six finish in the race are Sergio Perez (7/4-general), Felipe Massa (2/1-ladbrokes), Komui Kobayashi (2/1-ladbrokes), Nico Rosberg (7/2-BWin) and Michael Schumacher (4/1-general).

Those looking for value in the race should be interested in the evens (general) on Nico Hulkenburg to finish among the points. The German finished seventh in the last race in Japan which was his third top ten finish in the last six (plus one 11th placed finish). Force India managed to get one car in the top ten here last season and in 2010 had a car finish sixth.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) to win Korean GP at 7/4 (general).
SILVER: Mark Webber (Red Bull) to finish on the podium at 7/4 (general)
BRONZE: Nico Hulkenburg (Force India) to finish in the points at Evens (General).

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12/10/2012     © Frixo 2024