New Drivers in Leading Teams
16 November, 2006
MACHINERY and man work in tandem in Formula 1 and, like in many motorsport categories, the well-oiled machine can make the man.
Pit lane expertise plays a strong hand in the final outcome of the Formula 1 World Championship.
With the game of musical chairs leaving many teams and drivers working from a new song sheet in 2007 – testing season could be the time to secure great odds for the Outright 2007 Formula 1 World Champion.
In 2006 two Formula 1 teams dominated – the ever-present Ferrari and recently rejuvenated Renault.
However, both have said farewell to number one drivers. Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher retired from racing and the prancing horse operation, while reigning Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso switched camps.
Spanish sensation Alonso will now drive for McLaren-Mercedes, the one-time home of multiple Formula 1 champions Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
So does the driver make the car? For those who believe this is the case, www.IASbet.com has Alonso second-favourite at $2.80 to take his third successive Formula 1 title.
On the flip side Kimi Raikkonen leaves McLaren-Mercedes for the much-sought after seat at Ferrari. He hurled his McLaren-Mercedes into fifth-place in the 2006 Drivers Championship after finishing second in 2005.
At www.IASbet.com Raikkonen is favourite at $2.30.
What about the co-drivers at Ferrari and Renault? Only five drivers won races last season – Alonso, Schumacher and Honda’s Jenson Button as well as number two drivers at Renault and Ferrari, Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa respectively.
Both remain at the top two teams in the Constructors Title. Malaysian race winner Fisichella is $15 to win the 2007 Formula 1 World Championship and Brazillian Massa, who won the Turkish Grand Prix and his home race, is at $4.50 on www.IASbet.com.
Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen replaces Alonso at Renault, joining teammate Fisichella in the double-figure odds market at $17 on www.IASbet.com.
As the past two years have shown, both Renault drivers will have the use of proven machinery.
For Australians keen to support their favourite open wheel racing driver Mark Webber at his fourth Formula 1 team, Red Bull Racing, the Victorian is $61 at www.IASbet.com.
May be best to direct any flutter towards whether Webber can finally fulfil his potential and win a Formula 1 race though.
For the latest market for the 2007 Formula 1 World Championship visit www.IASbet.com.
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