AUTOhebdo predictions in Bahrain: first trends

There are only 3 left. The 2020 season of Formula 1, with its calendar profoundly revised due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is entering its home stretch with a triple meeting in the Persian Gulf. 

First stage of this triplet: the Bahrain International Circuit of Sakhir in its usual configuration. 

The neighboring Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was initially due to host the great F1 circus last March, in the wake of the Australian GP, ​​before the global health situation turned everything upside down. 

The difference in date should not upset the situation in terms of weather in a region of the world known for its mild conditions.

If the Drivers and Manufacturers titles have already been awarded to Lewis Hamilton et Mercedes, there is no shortage of challenges at the start of the final sprint. 

• Hamilton on his way? 

Will the Briton slow down after winning a historic 7th world crown? Recent history suggests otherwise. In 2018, Hamilton finished the season with a bang after winning his 5th title in Mexico (victories in Brazil and Abu Dhabi). Last year, the Mercedes driver stumbled at Interlagos but finished very strongly at Yas Marina. 

With 10 victories on the clock, Hamilton can still equal the record for victories in a season, currently owned by Michael Schumacher et Sebastian Vettel with 13 successes, in 2004 and 2013 respectively. A success by the English runner would bring you 1,30* times your stake. 

The Bahrain track, however, is not the one that smiled the most on the man from Stevenage (United Kingdom), who won there “only” 3 times in 12 attempts. Hamilton also only has a pair of pole positions at Sakhir out of the 97 in his personal collection. 

Enough to give hope to Valtteri Bottas, whose victory is rated at 4*? The Finn will be keen to forget his wreck in Istanbul on a track where he won his first career pole 1 years ago. 

Bottas would be well advised to enrich his record in Bahrain (3 podiums in 7 participations) if he wishes to maintain his distance Max Verstappen, which is 27 points behind Hamilton's current runner-up. Red Bull However, never really shone in Sakhir. 

• Ferrari as the main outsider?

The most successful team in the desert is called Ferrari (6 successes). The Scuderia carried out a very good operation in Turkey two weeks ago, which allowed it to return to the fight for 3rd place in the Manufacturers' championship.

Will the Maranello house continue its momentum in Sakhir? It counts in its ranks a Charles Leclerc, who particularly likes a circuit where he came very close to winning last year, as well as the record holder for victories there in the person of Sebastian Vettel (4 successes). A podium for the Monegasque is displayed at 4,50* against 13* for a 2nd consecutive appearance in the Top 3 for the German. 

Ferrari is currently 6th in the Constructors' standings, but just 24 points behind Racing Point, who occupies 3rd place. The Silverstone team can, however, rely on a Sergio Pérez (podium rated at 4,50*) faithful to himself and impressive in consistency, and a Lance stroll (9* rating for a finish on the Canadian's box) who has partly regained his smile after his brilliant pole in Turkey. 

In this indecisive and exciting fight for places of honor, the drivers Renault et McLaren will also want to have their say, while Pierre Gasly will try to prove that the misstep ofAlpha Tauri in Türkiye was only an isolated case. 

The Frenchman remains on 2 clean results (engine alert at Imola) and will be keen to bounce back in the (big) points on the track where he revealed himself by lifting his Toro Rosso to 4th place during the 2018 edition of the GP from Bahrain. That was before entering a new dimension with his podium in Brazil in 2019 and of course his historic victory at Monza this year. A finish in the Top 3 of Normand is rated at 19*. 

find all odds and possible betting combinations for the Bahrain Grand Prix on the Parions Sport website.

*Odds subject to change over time