A Hamilton hat-trick among best bets for Italian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton’s commanding performance in Italian Grand Prix qualifying will see him lead from the front of the grid for the first time in seven races, leaving victory within touching distance for the Mercedes man.

As we predicted on this site Hamilton laid down the quickest lap of Q3 at Monza and although he shares the front row with teammate and championship rival Nico Rosberg, he is in the best possible place for a charge at the chequered flag.

Here’s our three best bets for the Italian Grand Prix:

Hamilton to get the hat-trick @ 7/4

With one part of the hat-trick, pole position, in the bag there’s decent evidence to suggest Hamilton can go on to complete the perfect race, by turning in the fastest lap as well en route to victory.

The last time the Brit won this race two years ago he led from the front and while he also holds the lap record and the revamped Monza going quickest on race day both in 2013 and 2011.

Meanwhile, the fact Hamilton was a full four-tenths of a second quicker than his German teammate in qualifying – who will no doubt be taking things much more gingerly in terms of racing early doors – bodes particularly well.

Valtteri Bottas for a podium finish @ 4/6

Once again the Mercedes-powered Williams were the closest cars to the Silver Arrows in qualifying, taking up the second row, and once again it was Bottas who outshone his more experienced teammate Felipe Massa.

The Finn is getting used to the taste of champagne as he looks to build on another third in Belgium, his fifth podium in his last six races.

Kevin Magnussen for a top-six finish @ 11/8

Where Red Bull and Ferrari have struggled for pace all weekend at Monza’s speed-hungry circuit, McLaren’s race engineers have worked wonders with their latest tweaks.

Both Jenson Button – already tipped for a top six finish – and teammate Magnussen occupy the third row on the grid and with Dane qualifying faster than the Brit he’s certainly worth a stab in this market as well.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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