Perez practice pace suggests that a points finish is possible
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Sergio Perez headed into the 2013 season expecting to challenge for podiums and wins following his move from Sauber to McLaren.
Instead, the Mexican has found himself mired in the midfield battling for the lower-half of the top ten, as McLaren have lagged behind Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari throughout the campaign.
Perez managed to record seven points finishes in the 15 races so far this season, with a best of sixth in Bahrain, but his pace in the practice sessions so far in India suggests he can add to his tally at a strong price of 5/4.
The 23-year-old was seventh in the first session at the Buddh International Circuit, and followed that up with ninth in the second – eclipsing team-mate Jenson Button in the process.
Englishman Button is 1/2 to see the chequered flag in the points, but with the two McLarens even on pace during the year, the better value lies with Perez.
Up at the sharp end of the grid, Sebastian Vettel is 2/7 to claim a third-straight Indian Grand Prix win and while that price yields little return, his margin of victory could.
The German won both the 2011 and 2012 editions of the race by a margin over 7.5 seconds, something he is healthily priced at 11/10 to do so again.
Vettel’s dominance of this event is clear, with no other driver even managing to lead a lap at the Indian venue.
The 26-year-old has won the past five races too, and two of those were by significant margins – 16 seconds in Belgium, and a whopping 32 seconds between him and the second placed finisher in the night race at Singapore.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
