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With the World Championship done and dusted all that’s left for the men in Sebastian Vettel’s wake is to scrap it out for second place behind the German – and with just one race win separating Jenson Button in 2nd and Lewis Hamilton in 5th there is still plenty to play for.
Throw into the mix the first ever Indian Grand Prix on a circuit that has won praise for its design and drawn criticism for not being quite finished, it should be an absorbing weekend all round.
Vettel wrapped the title up two races ago in Japan before dominating the Korean Grand Prix to claim his 10th win of the season, and with three races to go the youngest ever double world champion will be looking to end the season on a high and edge closer to Michael Schumacher’s record of 133 wins in a single season.
Going into the race Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari have all demonstrated exceptional race pace, but that will only rub salt in the wounds of Lewis Hamilton who was slapped with a three place penalty for the race after ignoring warning flags during practice on Friday. With Sauber driver Sergio Perez in the same boat as Hamilton and Renault’s Vitaly Petrov hit with a five place penalty following his incident with Michael Schumacher in Korea, the grid should take on an interesting complexion come race day on Sunday.
Hamilton was able to break Red Bull’s monopoly on pole position last time round in Korea and while he won’t be able to do that this time, Jenson Button has proved himself to be exceptionally quick during practice and should push Vettel all the way.
The midfield is perhaps the most hotly contested are now the title has been decided, with Sauber, Renault, Torro Rosso and Force India all scrapping it out for valuable constructors championship points and even more valuable prize money to help them push onwards and upwards up the grid next season.
With Petrov likely to be down the grid with his penalty, Force India, who can call upon the services of rookie Paul Di Resta who has excelled in his first season in the sport, will be confident of making it into the top ten once more and claiming much needed points.
Race Winner
It should be a tight battle at the front of the grid with Red Bull and McLaren already going head to head in practice while both Ferrari men have proved their genuine pace, but as with the vast majority of the season Sebastian Vettel is the race favourite once more.
Vettel is 1.91 (10/11) with BetFred to notch his 11th win of the season, while his team-mate Mark Webber, who is the only driver in the top five not to claim a win, is the second favourite for the race win at 6.00 (5/1) with SportingBet.
Both McLaren drivers closely follow behind the Red Bull men with Jenson Button at 7.50 (13/2) with SportingBet and Lewis Hamilton 8.00 (7/1) with SkyBet.
Podium finish
Ferrari have struggled for pace in recent races, with even double world champion Fernando Alonso saying over his team-radio when chasing points in Korea “I give up”. But the Scuderia appear to have stumbled upon the right set up for the Indian race and looked quick in practice with Felipe Massa topping the timesheets, and the Brazilian is 7.00 (6/1) to make the top 3 on Sunday with BlueSQ, odds worth considering.
Mercedes have yet to register their first podium despite their progress so far this season, and they will hope the super quick New Delhi track will play to their strengths and gift them the top thre finish they so badly crave. Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher are 17.00 (16/1) and 21.00 (20/1) with SkyBet.
Recommended Bets
Race Winner, Jenson Button: 7.50 (13/2) SportingBet
Top 6 finish, Paul di Resta: 9.00 (8/1) Paddy Power
