Qatar Grand Prix preview: Can Norris go one better?

Following a shock result two races back in Singapore, usual service was resumed in Japan two weeks ago as Max Verstappen swept to a 14th win of the season and the Dutchman will looking to further extend his tally this Sunday in Qatar.

We look ahead to the race and offer up a few value betting angles.

Verstappen not totally invincible

There’s no doubting that Red Bull’s Verstappen has been in a league of his own this season, something backed up by the fact he’s 177 points clear of his nearest rival, teammate Sergio Perez, in the Drivers’ Championship. Naturally, Verstappen comes into the Qatar Grand Prix at prohibitively short odds of 1/5, but if his defeat in Singapore proved anything it’s that he can be beaten on any one day.

This will be only the second time a race has been staged at the Lusail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar, and it will be interesting to note how the drivers and cars adapt to the track. It goes without saying that qualifying should be carefully watched.

One of the notable points from the last two races has been the improvement of McLaren, with Lando Norris finishing second in both Singapore and Japan, while his teammate Oscar Piastri filled out third spot at the Suzuka Circuit. In Singapore, Norris got within eight tenths of a second of pulling off victory and the British driver comes into this race as the second favourite at 10/1. If beating Verstappen is still unlikely, then backing Norris for another podium could be the way to go at 4/6.

Sergio Perez is the only man other than Verstappen to have won more than one Grand Prix this season, and the Red Bull driver is 14/1 to record a third win of the season. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz showed with victory in Singapore that he is capable of putting it all together on the track and is 28/1 to win in Qatar.

Alonso value to hit the podium

Things haven’t gone to plan for Fernando Alonso on his last two starts, with the veteran Spanish driver finishing down the field in Singapore before a solid eighth in Japan. That’s a downturn on the form he showed earlier in the campaign that has seen him secure seven podium finishes. He’s temptingly priced at 8/1 to bounce back and finish in the first three this weekend and that looks decent value, while a top six finish, priced at 7/4, is also appealing.

Lewis Hamilton won the only previous staging of the Qatar Grand Prix in 2021 and that could give the seven-time champion a slight edge over his rivals at this new circuit. He’s 5/2 to finish in the first three.

Others that could be worth keeping an eye on are Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz, who have recorded 10 podium finishes between then this season and they are 4/6 and 9/2 respectively to go close in Qatar.

Two at bigger prices that could be worth looking at to finish in the top six are Pierre Gasly (10/1) and Esteban Ocon (10/1).

Check out all the latest Formula 1 betting odds at William Hill