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Formula 1 2021 Monaco Grand Prix Odds & Picks

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in Racing

Updated May 20, 2021 · 11:31 AM PDT

Formula 1 2021 Monaco Grand Prix - Verstappen - Leclerc
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the second free practice for Sunday's Formula One race, at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, Thursday, May 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
  • The 2021 Monaco Grand Prix runs this weekend on May 23rd, 2021
  • Max Verstappen is the favorite going into the race, while Lewis Hamilton narrowly trails him in the odds
  • Read below for a full betting preview and best bets for the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix

The rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and archrival Max Verstappen will be rekindled once again this weekend when Formula 1 returns to the streets of Monte Carlo with the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. Despite falling just short of victory in each of his past two outings, Verstappen looks to this weekend’s race perched as a narrow +115 favorite.

Hamilton sits second as a +145 bet to claim a fourth career victory at this event. The reigning Formula 1 champion has taken home the checkered flag in three of the first four races of the 2021 F1 season, but will also have to contend with challenges from several rival drivers who have enjoyed previous success at this event.

Here’s a look at all the odds and trends ahead of the 78th running of the Monaco Grand Prix at Circuit de Monaco on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM EST.

Odds to Win 2021 Monaco Grand Prix

Driver Odds to Win at FanDuel Odds to Finish Top Three Odds to Finish Top 10
Max Verstappen +115 -330 -750
Lewis Hamilton +145 -300 -750
Charles Leclerc +1000 +145 -440
Valtteri Bottas +1300 -150 -600
Sergio Perez +1600 +175 -550
Carlos Sainz Jr. +1600 +300 -380
Lando Norris +11000 +1000 -270
Daniel Ricciardo +11000 +1200 -230
Pierre Gasly +11000 +1800 -270
Fernando Alonso +20000 +2800 -200
Esteban Ocon +20000 +2800 -200
Lance Stroll +20000 +7000 +105
Sebastian Vettel +20000 +7000 +105
Yuki Tsunoda +20000 +7000 -115
Antonio Giovinazzi +20000 +10000 +270
Kimi Raikkonen +20000 +10000 +330
George Russell +20000 +10000 +330
Nicholas Latifi +20000 +10000 +1100
Mick Schumacher +20000 +10000 +2200
Nikita Mazepin +20000 +10000 +2800

Odds as of May 20

Lewis and Max Dominate the Spotlight

It has been all about Hamilton and Verstappen so far in the 2021 F1 season. The duo have finished 1-2 in each of the first four races, with Hamilton posting wins in Bahrain, Portugal, and Spain, and Verstappen claiming victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. But while Hamilton returns to Monaco as the reigning race champion, neither driver can claim any level of dominance on the streets of Monte Carlo.

Verstappen has failed to finish better than fourth in his five previous appearances in Monaco and failed to finish twice during that stretch. And while Hamilton earned the win the last time this race was run two years ago, he has endured a long history of challenges in Monaco, particularly from drivers representing Red Bull Racing and Ferrari.

Can Ricciardo, Vettel Recapture Past Glory

Three years ago, Red Bull led the way at this event, with Daniel Ricciardo capturing the pole position on his way to his seventh F1 career victory, while Verstappen contributed the fastest lap in record-breaking fashion. The previous year was all about Ferrari, with Sebastian Vettel earning the win, and veteran Kimi Raikkonen recording the fastest lap. It has been hard times for both Ricciardo and Vettel ever since. Ricciardo has failed to reach the top of the podium since his 2017 victory in Monaco and has yet to enjoy a breakthrough in his debut season with McLaren. Not surprisingly, he sets well off the pace as a +11000 longshot to win this weekend.

https://twitter.com/SebAstonVettel5/status/1394618619548508161?s=20

Vettel is in a similar situation. The four-time F1 champion parted ways with Ferrari after a forgettable 2020 campaign marred by technical difficulties and bad decision making. Vettel has fared no better in his Aston Martin debut, finishing outside the points in each of his first four races. However, given his extensive experience in Monaco, where he has won twice and reached the podium on seven occasions, it is tough to overlook the value that Vettel offers as a +105 bet to crack the top ten on Sunday morning.

Monaco Grand Prix Recent Winners

Year Driver Margin of Victory Pole Position Fastest Lap
2020 Race Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic n/a n/a n/a
2019 Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes 2.062 sec Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes Pierre Gasly – Red Bull Racing
2018 Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull Racing 7.336 sec Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing
2017 Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari 3.1450 sec Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari Sergio Perez – Force India
2016 Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes 7.252 sec Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull Racing Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
2015 Nico Rosberg – Mercedes 4.486 sec Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull Racing

Ferrari Poised to Take Next Step

The bigger question ahead of Sunday’s race is whether the current Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. are ready to take the next step after a steady start to the season. Determined to make an impact in his Monte Carlo homecoming following a strong fourth-place finish in Spain, Leclerc trails only Hamilton and Verstappen as a +1000 bet in the Monaco Grand Prix odds and is worthy of consideration as a +145 to reach the podium.

Sainz is coming off a somewhat disappointing seventh-place performance in Spain after threatening to challenge for a podium spot early in the race. However, the 26-year-old has looked increasingly comfortable at the wheel of his new Italian ride. And with a respectable track record of five career point finishes in Monaco, the rising star from Spain has to be considered a lock as a -380 bet to finish among the top 10 once again.

The Picks: Charles Leclerc to finish top three (+145); Sebastian Vettel to finish in the points (+105)


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