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All talk heading into the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend is about whether Sebastien Vettel can follow up his victory in Malaysia two weeks ago by repeating his pole-to-flag success in last year’s race in Shanghai. The bookmakers certainly fear a pole position-race victory double once again.

Having been on pole in the Bahrain Grand Prix and Australian Grand Prix only to suffer reliability problems when leading the race itself, Vettel put the demons to bed in Malaysia. He had missed out on pole to Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber but bounced back with an early overtaking move and went on to land his first win of the season.

Red Bull dominated in China last year in a wet race when Vettel led home a one-two from Webber with the pair well clear of their rivals. Vettel is a best priced 7/4 (general) to repeat that win and is just 6/5 for pole position, and for me it seems worthy taking him on in qualifying but not the race with his form and the pace of his Red Bull making him the most likely winner.

In qualifying, one driver that does catch my eye is Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, who is worth backing each-way at odds of 13/2 with Boylesports. Alonso has an enviable record in qualifying in the Chinese Grand Prix having started from pole position twice as well as second on the grid and fourth on the grid on another two occasions. Ferrari are suited to the track in Shanghai having won the race three times and there is no reason why Alonso won’t go close in qualifying.

Nico Rosberg has a dismal record in China with an 11th place finish his best result so far, but he has enjoyed a solid start to the season with new team Mercedes and can continue that run this weekend. Fifth place finishes in Bahrain and Australia were followed by a podium finish in third in Malaysia and the 5/6 available for him to finish in the top six seems more than fair.

Force India are no longer the backmarkers they once were and there appears to be an opportunity to make some funds on Vitantonio Liuzzi in the points finish market. The Italian scored points in the opening two events before being forced to retire from the race in Malaysia and he looks overpriced at 6/4 with Sportingbet, particularly when you consider his team-mate Adrian Sutil, who has only two more points than his team-mate this season, is priced at just 4/9 by the same firm.

Bettrends Advice

Sebastien Vettel – to win Grand Prix – 7/4 (general)

Fernando Alonso – to be on pole position (each-way) – 13/2 (Boylesports)

Vitantonio Liuzzi – to finish in the points – 6/4 (Sportingbet)

Nico Rosberg – to finish in the top six – 5/6 (Blue Square, Paddy Power, 888Sport)