Second in the odds for 2023 F1 title not who you'e expect

The Dutchman’s first-ever F1 Drivers’ Championship was mired in slight controversy that, even though it was waved away, left Verstappen with a point to prove.

With the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles in the bag long before the final Grand Prix meets, it’s fair to say that there isn’t any doubt as to who the best driver and team are in 2022. So, all eyes scan to the 2023 campaign to see who can challenge the man destined to finish this season with over 400 points.

Both Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez have shined at points this year, but neither is rated as Verstappen’s main threat in 2023. Instead, when you claim the bet 10 get 30 offer from Betfair, you can find the 2023 Drivers’ Championship odds favouring one Lewis Hamilton.

If you fancy what would look like an unlikely bounce back from the former champion, settling a 10 bet would return a 30 free bet to take Hamilton at 7/2 to win it all next season. Of course, Verstappen leads the grid at 4/6, but behind the Englishman is Leclerc at rather long odds of 4/1.

Three races before the end of the Formula 1 season, Hamilton had reaffirmed his position as sixth in the standings having come second at the United States Grand Prix, which could have even been his first win of the season. What’s held him back for most of the season has been the car, and its early, persistent porpoising problems.

However, as his average points per race, he has improved in the second half, with many of the issues that plagued the car being smoothed over significantly. Adjustments have been made specifically with 2023 in mind for the W14 model to be much more competitive, and the experts believe it’ll work.

The discussion here is about Hamilton making tremendous gains in his Mercedes next season, and few doubt that Red Bull will return with a tremendous car that boasts equally ridiculous straight-line speed. So, surely stopping this jump should be this year’s likely runner-up, Charles Leclerc.

The Monégasque driver started the season very well and certainly looked like a Drivers’ Championship contender. However, Ferrari clearly hasn’t been this high up the grid too often in recent years, and some of that rust and seeming inexperience showed throughout the season.

Prior to the United States Grand Prix, Leclerc told F1 online that 2022 execution on Sundays was the biggest problem and needed improving. Tyre management, strategy, communication, and reliability were all checked by the talented racer as areas to improve in 2023.

Compared to the incredibly technical requirements of building a better car to compete, improving on team strategies and chemistry would seem to be an easier fix. Perhaps a new team is required to unleash the full potential of this rather good Ferrari car and its star driver.

If some big behind-the-scenes changes happen for Ferrari over the offseason, perhaps Leclerc will return as Verstappen’s main competitor in the odds. For now, though, it’s Hamilton’s improvements that have impressed the oddsmakers the most.