Formula 1 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix Odds, Picks and Predictions

• Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton are deadlocked atop the odds as the 2022 F1 season kicks off in Bahrain this weekend
• Verstappen returns to action as defending champion, while Hamilton eyes a fourth straight Bahrain Grand Prix win
• Read below for a full breakdown of the Bahrain Grand Prix odds

Another season of Formula 1 racing kicks off this weekend, with the running of the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix at 11:00 am ET on Sunday morning at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. Max Verstappen begins the defence of his F1 championship title perched as a +185 favorite in the Bahrain Grand Prix odds, while his archrival Lewis Hamilton trails as a +240 bet to avenge his loss to Verstappen in last season’s finale in Abu Dhabi with a sixth career victory in Bahrain.

Here’s a look at all the odds, and drivers to watch, going into Round 1 of the 2022 Formula 1 season.

2022 Bahrain Grand Prix Odds

Odds as of March 17th at FanDuel Sportsbook app 

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Max Verstappen’s Betting Outlook in Bahrain

All eyes will be on the red-hot rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton as the 2022 season shifts into high gear. The memory of last season’s controversial finish remains particularly fresh for Hamilton, who saw his bid for a fifth straight F1 crown derailed by Verstappen’s thrilling comeback win.

Ted Kravitz feels the FIA have avoided condemning what happened in Abu Dhabi as that would “influence the legitimacy” of Max Verstappen’s championship.https://t.co/dqWvVPHwzo #F1 pic.twitter.com/uVF7sVVlG5

— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) March 17, 2022

Another tight two-way battle for the top of the Formula 1 Drivers Standings is expected this time around. That is reflected in this year’s F1 Drivers Championship odds, where Hamilton and Verstappen open the campaign deadlocked as +175 co-favorites. The duo combined to win 18 of last season’s 22 events and occupied the top two spots on the podium in seven of the final eight races on the schedule.

"I needed to step back"

Lewis Hamilton says it was a 'difficult time' and that he needed to reflect after the season finale in Abu Dhabi 👇 pic.twitter.com/T5nQ9Ncgcn

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 18, 2022

With an important year of experience under his belt and the benefit of a steady veteran teammate at Red Bull, it is easy to make a case for backing Verstappen to repeat as champion. The 24-year-old is only now just entering his prime, and likely would not have reached the top of the standings last year were it not for the support of Sergio Perez.

Perez, Russell’s Value in F1 Drivers Championship Odds

Unlike Verstappen’s previous teammates, “Checo” thrived in a complementary role in his first year at Red Bull. Affectionately nicknamed the “Mexican Minister of Defence” by Verstappen for his ability and willingness keep pace with top drivers like Hamilton, and run interference when necessary, Perez also impressed with five podium finishes and a fourth-place finish in the standings.

https://twitter.com/LappedCars/status/1504113514755018763?s=20&t=Ie50HybB9Bx9Lb4WZZ-45g

While Verstappen returns to action backed by a trusted partner, Hamilton faces the challenge of adjusting to a new teammate. In the wake of Valtteri Bottas’ departure for Alfa Romeo, Mercedes filled the void by promoting George Russell, who spent the past three seasons toiling for Williams. Russell enjoyed success at every level on his rise to F1, claiming championship titles in F2 and GP3 Series.

However, it remains to be seen whether he can develop chemistry with Hamilton in their first year as teammates. Russell enjoyed ample opportunity to get comfortable behind the wheel of his new Silver Arrow during preseason testing in Barcelona and Bahrain but has yet to finish higher than eighth in a race in which at least 75% of the distance was completed. Not surprisingly, that leaves him lagging, both as a +850 bet in the Bahrain Grand Prix odds and as a +750 wager in the F1 futures.

Bahrain Grand Prix Recent Winners

Hamilton Poised to Draw First Blood

Of course, Hamilton may not need Russell’s help in Sunday’s season opener. The seven-time F1 champion has taken home the checkered flag in each of his past three appearances in Bahrain, and reached the podium in eight straight appearances, making it his race to lose.

🏆 2017 – 🇩🇪 Sebastian Vettel
🏆 2018 – 🇩🇪 Sebastian Vettel
🏆 2019 – 🇬🇧 Lewis Hamilton
🏆 2020 – 🇬🇧 Lewis Hamilton
🏆 2021 – 🇬🇧 Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has won three in a row in Bahrain.

Can he make it four when the F1 returns this weekend?#BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/hk4oiFQcja

— William Hill (@WilliamHill) March 16, 2022

Sports bettors looking for value on the Bahrain Grand Prix odds board should not sleep on Charles Leclerc. The Monte Carlo native opens the 2022 F1 season in search of his first victory since 2019 and trails the favorites as a +800 bet in the F1 championship odds after finishing seventh in the standings last season.

Charles Leclerc's Ferrari has ended the opening testing session of the 2022 F1 season at the top of the standings with a 1m20.165, on the C3 tyre🏎️ pic.twitter.com/E1nNBcs25D

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) February 23, 2022

However, it is important to remember that Leclerc made the best of a tough situation driving a Ferrari that struggled to keep pace while experiencing a rash of technical problems, and managed to finish among the top five on 10 occasions. Leclerc subsequently turned heads with an impressive performance in pre-season testing and is worth taking as a solid -105 bet to open the new season with a trip to the podium.

The Picks: Lewis Hamilton to win (+175); Charles Leclerc podium finish (-105)