Formula 1 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Odds & Picks

• Lewis Hamilton aims to reclaim the lead atop the F1 Drivers Standings when he hits the track for the 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix as a strong betting favorite
• Hamilton has won two straight races but continues to lag behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the standings heading into the penultimate race of the 2021 F1 season
• Read on for the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix odds and trends ahead of Sunday afternoon’s race at Jeddah Corniche Circuit

The race for the 2021 Formula 1 Drivers Championship heats up this weekend, with the running of the inaugural edition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Winners in each of his past two outings, Lewis Hamilton will be aiming to reclaim the lead in the 2021 F1 Drivers Standings as he gets set for lights out as a strong -225 favorite in the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix odds. Max Verstappen maintains control of his destiny as he aims to extend his narrow lead over Hamilton and potentially clinch his first career title while listed as a +250 second favorite.

Here’s a look at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix odds and trends ahead of race time at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 PM EST.

2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Odds

Odds as of December 2nd at DraftKings

Verstappen vs Hamilton Odds & Analysis

Forced to start seventh on the grid after incurring a five-place penalty in qualifying, Max Verstappen had little chance to overcome Lewis Hamilton’s fast start two weeks ago in Qatar. However, the 24-year-old managed to minimize the damage by finishing second and preserving a slim eight-point lead over Hamilton atop the standings.

Clear your calendars for the next two weekends 🏆⚔️#F1 #HistoryAwaits @Max33Verstappen @LewisHamilton pic.twitter.com/V2D33KWZEu

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 1, 2021

More importantly, Verstappen’s steady performance in Qatar has left him poised to clinch the title this weekend in Saudi Arabia. Should he take home the checkered flag for the 10th time this season and record fastest lap, Hamilton must finish within the top five to keep his hopes of an eighth career championship alive. Verstappen can also claim the crown with a second-place finish, combined with a pointless performance this weekend by Hamilton.

Max Verstappen gets his first chance to clinch the World Championship this weekend in Jeddah 🏆🇸🇦

Here is what needs to happen for him to become 2021 #F1 World Champion ⬇️#SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/YuKiIN5Z0J

— Crash F1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) November 30, 2021

Considering that Verstappen has finished among the top two in eight of his past nine outings, and has not gone more than two races without a victory, the Red Bull Racing driver would seemingly have the edge. However, with the final two races of the season taking place on tracks on lengthy straightaways that favor Hamilton’s recently upgraded Mercedes, the 36-year-old Englishman has seized control of the top of the Formula 1 Drivers Championship odds, where he now sits perched as -175 chalk.

Bottas’ Betting Value at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

With the battle for the F1 title coming down to the wire, Verstappen and Hamilton will be looking for big assists from their respective teammates in Saudi Arabia. Bounced from the pole by a five-place grid penalty, Valtteri Bottas was subsequently forced to retire in Qatar due to a catastrophic tire failure.

Nobody could touch Valtteri Bottas in qualifying 💪#MexicoGP 🇲🇽 #F1 pic.twitter.com/STQNNRhZvV

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 6, 2021

However, the Mercedes driver has been a force in qualifying down the stretch, claiming the pole position in four of the past five races, a trend that has helped make him the shortest bet after Hamilton and Verstappen, listed at +1400 in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix odds. But the real value for Bottas fans can be found in the odds to be the fastest qualifier, where the 32-year-old Finn is pegged as an attractive +300 bet.

Perez Holds Great Value in F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Odds

Verstappen has certainly benefited from the arrival of Sergio Perez in the Red Bull camp this season. “Checo” has remained a consistent presence among the top six, even while taking unselfish steps to protect Verstappen. But while Perez has finished no worse than fourth in five straight outings, he has work to do to produce more consistent results in qualifying after failing to seize a spot in the first two rows on the grid in three of his past six outings.

Sergio Perez thoughts on Saudi Arabian GP – Time to go all in – https://t.co/dIrCFvHGIT https://t.co/2iOji8Af5t photos Red Bull #redbullracing #driver #checoperez #mexican #driver #mexico #f1 #formula1 #racing #motorsport #saudiarabiangp #saudiarabia pic.twitter.com/sIfXTHFkcY

— automobilsport (@automobilsport) November 30, 2021

However, sports bettors overlook Perez at their own peril. The 31-year-old Mexican has arrived in Saudi Arabia with a confident swagger, publicly pointing out that he and his Red Bull teammate have “nothing to lose” this weekend. And considering Checo has already finished among the top three on five occasions including three of his past five outings, he offers enormous value as a +185 wager to once again finish on the podium this weekend.

The Picks: Valtteri Bottas fastest qualifier (+300); Sergio Perez podium finish (+185)