AUTOhebdo predictions: in the Imola retro

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix came to remind enthusiasts that a race of Formula 1 didn't need thousands of overtakes to be exciting. Suspense, intensity, and twists and turns are more than enough. 

On an Imola circuit where overtaking was deemed impossible, Formula 1 offered us a great show and a new surprise podium. This is the paradox of a 2020 campaign where the identity of the winner is almost never in doubt, while the fight for places of honor proves more fierce than ever in the hybrid era. 

• Hamilton unplayable for the competition

Beaten in qualifying then beaten at the start, the leader of the world championship had to roll up his sleeves to collect his 9th success in 13 rounds this season. By extending his opening stint with better laps in the race, Hamilton began by ideally putting himself into orbit. The aerodynamic problems suffered by his pole-sitter teammate Valtteri Bottas, then the intervention of a Virtual Safety Car towards the halfway mark, completed the path to success. Apart from a mechanical failure or a penalty, we don't see who can beat the six-time world champion at the moment. Hence the inevitably low odds of victory, including when he does not start from pole.

• Ricciardo back on the podium

This is one of the most exciting soap operas of this 2020 season: trying to identify the driver who is most likely to benefit from a misstep in the untouchable leading trio Hamilton-Bottas-Verstappen. In Imola, it is first of all Pierre Gasly who donned the underdog costume with a sparkling performance in qualifying, rewarded with a 4th place on the grid. The pilot Alpha Tauri then took off well to immediately threaten Hamilton but found himself pushed towards the outside at the start of the first braking, which allowed Daniel Ricciardo to slip inside. Renault quickly got rid of the disappointment of Portimão and the Australian benefited from the misfortunes of Max Verstappen at the end of the GP to get on the podium for the 2nd time in 3 races. At 4,25, a Top 3 from Ricciardo offered one of the best winning odds of the weekend. 

• They could have brought in big

Let's have fun doing a little sports fiction as a conclusion. Because the slightly crazy end of the race could have made daring bettors happy. When the Safety Car intervened following the tire accident suffered by Verstappen, it was Sergio Pérez who was best placed to climb onto the box behind the Mercedes. Racing Point, however, preferred to bring the Mexican back so that he could finish the race on soft tires. Bad pick and gone podium. A top 3 from Pérez, starting 11th, was quoted at 25,00. The other driver who could have climbed into the GP trifecta is Daniil Kvyat, author of a supercharged end of the race on Soft tires at the wheel of his AlphaTauri. The Russian, whose podium was 22,00 before his start in 8th position, ultimately failed 8/10 behind Ricciardo but had the merit of livening up the final laps.

You can now bet on the results of the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix (November 13-15). Find all the odds and combinations available on the Parions Sport website: www.enligne.parionssport.fdj.fr/paris-formule-1