Belgian Grand Prix 2024: Spa set for thrilling showdown

The 2024 Belgian Grand Prix (GP), a cornerstone of the Formula 1 (F1) calendar, is gearing up for a spectacular race day on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

The main race will commence at 1:00 PM GMT, following a series of electrifying practice and qualifying sessions that have locked in the grid positions.

The Road to Race Day

The journey to race day has been eventful, setting the stage for intriguing betting opportunities. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, beloved by drivers and fans alike, is home to the legendary “Eau Rouge” corner, where cars fly through at around 186 mph. However, with rain forecasted, this iconic corner might present an entirely new challenge come Sunday.

Red Bull Racing has stirred the pot this week by announcing a new engine part for three-time World Champion Max Verstappen, surpassing the season’s allowable limit. This change incurs a 10-place grid penalty, regardless of his qualifying position.

Practice Sessions Dominance

Despite the penalty, Verstappen has dominated the practice sessions, topping the charts in two of the three Free Practice (FP) sessions. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has pointed out that it would be a mistake to discount Verstappen’s chances, referencing his past feat of moving from P20 to P9 within just three laps.

Currently, Max Verstappen is listed at +400 to win at Spa, according to the top online sportsbooks.

The Red Bull junior team is also facing penalties, with Yuki Tsunoda’s engine overhaul resulting in a 60-place grid penalty, setting him to start from P20. Tsunoda’s odds for a points finish are set at +800

McLaren’s Strong Performance

McLaren’s Lando Norris has shown exceptional speed in the practice sessions, setting the fastest times overall. With rain expected on race day, McLaren’s proven performance in wet conditions could be their key advantage. Norris’s odds for the fastest qualifier were listed at +300.

Qualifying Sessions Recap

Qualifying saw Verstappen secure pole position, but due to his penalty, Charles Leclerc will start from pole. This mirrors the situation at the 2023 Belgian GP. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez has qualified in P2, offering a chance to turn around his season.

McLaren, despite a strong showing in practice, failed to secure top three spots in qualifying. Nevertheless, their wet-weather prowess keeps them in contention for their third team win of the season.

Best Bets for Spa F1

Verstappen’s ability to recover from setbacks is well-documented. Betting on him to win from P11 seems plausible, with his odds listed at +200.

Lewis Hamilton, starting from P3, is a master in wet conditions and is aiming for his 201st podium finish. His odds for a podium finish are +200.

Oscar Piastri of McLaren looked comfortable throughout the sessions and is expected to maintain his pace, with odds of -200 for a podium finish.

Sergio Perez, in need of a season-defining win to secure his seat at Red Bull, is listed at +74900 to take the victory at Spa.

2024 F1 Belgian GP Grid Positions

The stage is set for an exhilarating race at Spa-Francorchamps, with numerous storylines and betting opportunities to watch.