- Max Verstappen (-500) is a massive favorite to win his first-career Chinese Grand Prix
- Sergio Perez (+900) is 13 points back of his Red Bull teammate after placing second in three of five races this season
- The 56-lap, 3.4-mile Shanghai International Circuit hosts Round 5 of the Formula 1 season on April 21, 2024
Max Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix from pole position for the third straight year. With victories in 22 of the last 26 races, the Red Bull driver looks unbeatable heading to Shanghai.
Not surprisingly, the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix Odds forecast the Dutchman to top the podium again. Before we look at the latest odds, check out the top Formula 1 betting sites in 2024.
2024 Chinese Grand Prix
Verstappen favored as always
Max Verstappen (-500) rebounded from his DNF in Melbourne, leading the Japanese Grand Prix from start to finish. After topping the podium in three of four races this year, the 26-year-old has built up a 13-point lead in the drivers’ standings over teammate Sergio Perez (+900).
Red Bull has finished 1-2 three times in five races this season. Following its dominant outing at Suzuka, Mercedes boss Tito Wolff said, “No one is going to catch Max this season. His driving and the car are just spectacular.”
Three front-row lockouts together 🔒🔒🔒#F1 || #JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/FbPHSem02x
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) April 12, 2024
Shanghai International Circuit
Verstappen has never won the Chinese Grand Prix, which has been off the Formula 1 calendar for the past five years. This will mark the first time contemporary ground-effect era F1 cars will race on the Shanghai International Circuit. To make the track less bumpy, the asphalt on the course has been replaced.
Since this is the first of six sprint races on the F1 calendar, teams will also only have one practice session before they start qualifying. The state-of-the circuit also features two tight turns off the top and one of the longest straights on the tour.
Can Ferrari compete?
Carlos Sainz (+1600) couldn’t follow-up his third-career victory at the Australian GP, finishing 20.866 seconds behind Perez and 33.401 seconds back of Verstappen. His Scuderia teammate Charles Leclerc (+1600) took fourth. Following the race, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said, “we expect (Ferrari) to probably be our closest competitor [in China].”
Carlos Sainz podium for his third race in a row!!
pic.twitter.com/UerRiN69tf— Mari (@very_berry99) April 7, 2024
Mercedes in disarray
George Hamilton and Lewis Hamilton are +4000 longshots after placing seventh and ninth, respectively, in Japan. The seven-time world champion, who is set to join Ferrari in 2025, sits ninth in the drivers standings.
Lando Norris (+3300) finished fifth at Suzuka after capturing the final spot on the podium at the Australian GP. His McLaren car has been far more competitive than Mercedes this season.
Best Longshot
How uncompetitive is Formula 1 this year? You can take The Field at +350 if you think anyone can take down Verstappen (-500). While the Dutchman has dominated the sport, perhaps his unfamiliarity with the freshly-paved Shanghai Circuit will give someone else a chance to break though?
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
