F1 racing provides high-octane action and excitement. But it’s also a hive of betting options and activities. Like most hives, it offers lots of honey. But only if you know how to bet on F1.
Betting on F1 races requires a good grasp of its ins and outs and peculiar betting options. So, I’ll describe how F1 betting works and the more popular bet types. You’ll also learn 4 proven strategies which helped me become great at F1 betting. Plus, I’ll provide answers to some FAQs you’d want answered.
Before I get down to the nitty-gritty of F1 betting, you need to understand how Formula One (F1) works. After all, how do you bet on F1 if you don’t understand the system? So, here’s a short refresher course. F1 puts 20 drivers from 10 teams together to compete for the FIA Formula One World Championship. Before the main race, there are 23 races on different circuits across the globe, spanning several days.
Bookmakers take advantage of these racing events to create betting opportunities. Every market drawn from the races gets its odds based on the probability of it happening.
Bettors then have to review the available betting options to make a prediction which could have them smiling to the bank. Due to its nature, F1 offers you lots of opportunities to place live bets in different markets. I’d recommend trying this option once you get the hang of how to bet on F1. Here’s a short description of the more popular betting types available in F1 betting.
| Bet type | How it works |
|---|---|
| Outright Betting (Formula One World Drivers Championship Winner) | Involves predicting the most successful F1 driver over a particular season |
| Race Winner | You’ll try to predict the driver who wins in a particular Grand Prix |
| F1 Constructors' Championship | With this bet, you’ll try to predict the team with the highest number of points at the end of the season |
| Pole Position | Here, you’ll bet on the driver who records the fastest qualifying lap time and starts the race first |
| Podium Finish | With this bet type, you’ll bet on a driver who finishes in any of the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd positions in a race |
| Winning Margin | This bet involves betting on the difference in the number of seconds with which the winning team will win |
| Special (Prop) Bets | With F1 prop bets, you bet on events which happen in or outside the circuit. The events may not directly influence the event's outcome. |
There are several reasons to choose F1. I’ll share a couple of them so you’ll understand why F1 betting could be a great idea.
Here’s the part of this F1 betting guide where I share 4 of my tested betting strategies curated from first-hand experience. The idea is for you to have enough info to make the right F1 betting decisions. So, let's get right to it:
This is straight out of the sports betting 101 playbook. But in case you didn’t get the memo, it's important to play only at reputable sportsbooks with verifiable gaming licenses and top-notch security measures.
Such a bookie should also cover all the Grand Prix races with a full range of markets per race. Once the sites tick these boxes, check their odds and bonuses. The more competitive the odds, the better your betting experience. Plus, you’ll be able to extend your gameplay if the bonuses are generous enough.
One more thing: I often use multiple sportsbooks. Now, why would I want to use multiple sportsbooks? It’s because you can find different lines for the same market at different sportsbooks. Then easily choose which of them works best for you. Having access to multiple betting platforms makes this strategy for betting on F1 popular among bettors.
Here’s a quick tip: You won’t always hit it big if you only bet on the clear favorite for a race. Such drivers often come with low odds, so you’ll have to make higher stakes to get worthwhile returns, increasing your betting risks.
Here’s what I often do; I place lots of bets on underdogs at longer odds. It might sound counter-intuitive, but it has worked for me. If you’re up for it, you could still back your favorites and underdogs.
This is my favorite strategy for betting on F1, so I’ll give you a veteran’s tip. Most F1 drivers have a preferred race track where they’re at their best. It’s unclear why or how this happens, but take advantage of this information. So, find out the “special” race tracks/circuits locations, driver’s recent form, car performance, and possible track layout changes.
Rains can adversely affect F1 races – tires easily lose grip and fuel consumption increases, leading to more pit stops. So, I often delay my bets until just before an F1 race starts, and this has proved to be another excellent strategy for betting on F1. This way, I can gauge how much the weather will impact the race. Strong winds could also affect how well the cars are controlled and likely accidents. On the flip side, some drivers thrive in such conditions, which significantly changes the odds.
It's quite easy to bet on F1 events. Take these three short steps, and you’ll be good to go:
Register at a reliable F1 sportsbook offering futures, prop markets, and daily odds boosts for all F1 races on the schedule, in addition to the traditional markets.
Don’t ignore your welcome bonus. Hopefully, you’ll find a generous one with friendly wagering requirements, so you can place bets on multiple markets and easily withdraw your winnings.
Here’s where you apply the strategies I’ve shared in this article. Start by finding your way to your preferred sportsbook’s F1 section and choosing a specific event and its corresponding market. Then, indicate how much you want to bet. Confirm your bet, sit back, and watch the race unfold.
Besides the adrenaline rush that comes with F1 races, you can enjoy generous returns by correctly predicting the F1 race outcome. In my experience, F1 betting can be a thrilling and rewarding experience as it offers a shipload of betting options.
But you’d need the right strategies to maximize these betting opportunities and avoid betting mistakes, so I’ve discussed 4 in this article. Apply my strategies and become an F1 maestro in no time.
Yes, it’s safe. However, ensure you place your bets at a bookie with a valid UKGC, MGA, or Curacao license. Also, check for SSL encryption, and HTTPS technology if you prefer mobile betting.
Yes, it is! Several sportsbooks offer live F1 betting opportunities, such as Podium Finish, Safety Car, and Fastest Lap.
Yes, it is! Simply sign up at a reputable sportsbook offering F1 betting, locate the F1 event and market you want to bet on, and place your bets.
Go to BetMGM
