Money to be made from Mercedes men in Monaco Grand Prix
Published:Lewis Hamilton has exceeded expectations so far this season, picking up more points than many predicted after joining Mercedes, and the Brit looks well placed to pick up a first win for his new team in Monte Carlo.
The Monaco Grand Prix is notorious for its narrow, winding circuit and with the Mercedes drivers setting the pace in practice so far, it seems only tyre degradation or a technical fault can halt the German outfit’s bid for glory.
Hamilton’s team mate Nico Rosberg has been the pacesetter so far, posting a time of 1:14.759 in P2 and the young German is currently among the frontrunners in the betting to win the race at 7/2.
However,Hamiltonis just a fraction off the pace at present, with a best lap time of 1:15:077, and having won the showpiece event in 2008, perhaps looks better value at the same 7/2.
The Mercedes duo have everyone in the principality running scared due to the car’s ferocious speed and the distinct lack of overtaking opportunities, making the 11/4 saying both Rosberg and Hamilton finish on the podium a tempting prospect.
With qualifying still to come there is still a lot of driving to be done before the grid is decided, but should the Silver Arrows team take their dominance of the practice sessions into the next stage then the 5/4 on Rosberg posting the fastest lap time in Q3 could entice many a savvy punter.
Those hoping to see the Union Jack hoisted above the centre of the podium for only the third time in 11 years, however, could be tempted to back Hamilton to get a flying start and have the best of the Q3 times at 7/4.
Should, tyre damage come into play – something that has been a cause for concern at Mercedes of late – thenSpain’s Fernando Alonso will look to seize the initiative.
The Ferrari man is the only driver in the field to have claimed theMonte Carlochequered flag twice and set the third-fastest lap in P2. The 2005 and 2006 champion is the current race favourite at 10/3 and offers odds of 8/1 to post the fastest lap in Q3.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publication.
