Chinese Grand Prix 2013

Who fought that F1 could have been this exciting? It’s fair to say that this year’s Malaysian Grand Prix will go down as one of the more memorable races of the season, even if for the wrong reasons with the controversial matter of team orders rearing it’s ugly head once again – although it really depends which side of the coin you’re on as to whether that’s a bad thing or not – with Sebastian Vettel taking possibly his least popular victory of all time (some achievement if you listen closely to those who aren’t the biggest fans of the three time World Champion) after disobeying calls to stay behind Mark Webber late in the race and the same scenario was also played out with Mercedes further behind as Nico Rosberg was kept behind Lewis Hamilton despite being clearly faster. 

The recriminations for the next few weeks may be few and far between for those looking to see a good old team-mate scrap between the two pairs (there’s been plenty of animosity in the build up which should manifest itself properly on raceday), but for punting purposes it was clear to see that there were two teams well clear of the others at the end – Red Bull and Mercedes – with Ferrari not too far behind and Lotus clearly having the raceday pace to make podium challenges at the least judged upon the way that they were able to make the best of poor grid positions to finish in a relatively comfortable 6^th and 7^th at the end. On a similar track which – while not designed to be typically damaging towards tyres with so many straight-line sections – does favour teams who can manage their tyres well and in any case, the absence of the hard compounds swings the pendulum well in favour of Raikkonen and Grosjean, who can be backed for a third straight points finish at an appealing 5/6 with Paddy Power.

Also worth backing for a double points finish are Force India, who have come here very much under the radar with the controversy at the front of the grid but have impressed with their speed in Melbourne, and were well on their way to top 10 finishes when a wheel nut problem ended their challenge in Malaysia. They’ve looked well upto the pace in practice so far – both inside the top 10 – and are showing the pace to contend with the best of the midfield again.

At a circuit very similar in layout to Malaysia, with two huge straights and several, long sweeping corners including the typical Herman Tilke feature of the hairpin turn following a long stretch, it seems reasonable to suggest that the formlines which were well bourne out all the way through the last weekend could well be the ones to follow on a track which is very similar to Malaysia and will reward the car with the best mix of tyre matinence and straightline speed.

That car looked to be, and probably is, the Red Bull, and 7/2 about Sebastian Vettel taking another victory from what’s likely to be pole makes some early appeal. First on the grid here 2009, 2010 and 2011, and first on the grid twice this season already, bookmakers have pushed him out for pole position following some fair docile efforts in practice but the quotes of 7/4 are tempting enough to back him to take the top spot on the grid yet again before another win here; Mercedes are obviously hugely respected at a track which has good memories for them, and their dominance of practice 1 was ominous, but Red Bull easily had their number over race pace and Vettel’s the obvious choice. Watch out for big prices about Kimi Raikkonen after qualifying, as he’s struggled to get heat into his tyres for a one lap test but has had plenty of success from mixed grid positions.

Advice

1 pt Sebastian Vettel (17/5 Bet Victor, 3/1 general)  

5 pts Lotus double points finish (5/6 Paddy Power)

1 pt Force India double points finish (15/8 general)

Advice – Pole Position

1 pt Sebastian Vettel (37/20 Youwin, 6/4 general)