It goes without saying that unless the unthinkable happens – like a season-ending injury or being abducted by Aliens – Max Verstappen has won his third consecutive Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship. As Verstappen continues to dominate in the RB-19, it’s only a matter of time until we start doing abstract math and talking alternate scenarios of how soon Max will be crowned champion.
However, just below Verstappen’s awe-inspiring brilliance, a battle is developing to be “best of the rest.” Oddsmakers and NASCAR odds experts have noticed, and Insidersbettingdigest is taking a special look at the “best of the rest” F1 Drivers Championship odds as if we were in a Verstappen-less world.
F1 Drivers’ Championship Without Max Verstappen Betting Odds
Here are the F1 best drivers who could be crowned best of the rest in Abu Dhabi:
| Driver (Team) | Points | Odds to Win |
| Sergio Pérez (Red Bull Racing) | 148 | -225 |
| Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) | 106 | +500 |
| Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) | 131 | +300 |
| Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) | 72 | +5000 |
| George Russell (Mercedes) | 72 | +25000 |
| Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) | 82 | +10000 |
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll isn’t listed in the Verstappen-less F1 Drivers Championship odds. This speaks to Stroll’s overall pace and potential lower-performance career ceiling. You should consider this when making your picks for the rest of the F1 schedule.
Next Grand Prix: Formula 1 British Grand Prix Information
Race: British Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit: 52 laps (306.198 km/190.263 mi)
One Lap: 18 turns over 5.891 km (3.662 mi).
Location: Silverstone, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Date and Time: Sunday, July 9th, 2023, 9:00 AM ET
How to Watch: F1TV | Sky Sports | ESPN | TSN | nationally specific broadcast partners
F1 Drivers’ Championship Without Max Verstappen Betting Preview
Sergio Perez – 148 points (-225)
In a Verstappen-less Red Bull world, Pérez would be leading the current F1 standings as their chosen driver. Regardless of which RB-19 he stepped into, Checo should be expected to do so given the RB-19’s race-pace advantage.
Perez, the only driver not named Max, has achieved significant success this season. He boasts two race wins, two pole positions, and multiple top-six finishes. Additionally, Perez secured first and second-place finishes in the F1 Sprint races. Excluding the Sprint Races, Checo only has five podium finishes.
However, Checo’s occasional struggles with car handling, qualifying, and errors can make his race days more unpredictable than desired. That’s why he only has a 17-point lead over Aston Martin’s Alonso, but given the incredible advantage of the RB-19, Pérez should easily finish as best of the rest and is our NASCAR pick. If Checho doesn’t, he’ll only have himself to blame.
Fernando Alonso – 131 points (+300)
Insidersbettingdigest’s favorite anti-hero, Fernando Alonso, might be our World Champion, but will the AMR-23 make further gains to hold off Checo for best of the rest in our F1 Drivers Championship odds?
Fernando Alonso, the seasoned campaigner, possesses unparalleled racecraft. He could strategically defend against Perez and secure his position in the AMR-23. The two-time World Champion has had an excellent season to start this, and his AMR-23 is keeping pace in the development war with the Mercedes W-14 and Ferrari SF-23.
Behind the two Red Bull drivers, Alonso has been the most consistent driver, scoring eight top-six finishes and six podiums, four third place, and two second-place podiums. Alonso placed top six in all races except the Spanish GP, narrowly missing out on sixth to teammate Stroll.
Lewis Hamilton – 106 points (+500)
Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton is at the mercy of the W-14 every weekend. However, since introducing upgrades at Monaco, the W-14 has been more consistent but with significant room to improve.
Hamilton had his streak of eight top-six finishes snapped in Austria. For Hamilton to win the non-Verstappen World Championship, Mercedes must win the development war with Ferrari and Aston Martin.
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