bettrends.co.uk

Formula One moves on to the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo this weekend and it promises to be an intriguing Monaco Grand Prix with Red Bull looking to continue their rich vein of form following Mark Webber’s victory in Spain last week.

The tight street circuit through Monte Carlo poses a serious challenge to all drivers and the battle for pole position will go a long way to deciding the eventual overcome of Sunday’s race with a place on the first two rows of the grid crucial for those holding hopes of winning the prestigious and historic Grand Prix.

Red Bull have dominated qualifying sessions so far this season and Sebastian Vettel is once again favourite to take both pole position (best priced 2/1) and the race victory (best priced 5/2). But he is facing a stern battle from team-mate Mark Webber this season and it is the Australian who interests me more in Monaco. He has not always had luck on his side in Monaco but has produced three impressive results when third in 2005, fourth in 2008 and fifth last year. He has also qualified in the top three twice and the 11/2 (totesport) about his chances of winning the race is worth taking each-way.

In qualifying, last year’s Monaco Grand Prix winner Jenson Button, who triumphed from pole position, looks a decent each-way bet at 16/1. Monaco resident Button has won two of the five Grands Prix so far this season and knows his way around his ‘home’ streets and looks good value to be in the top three in Saturday’s qualifying session. He also is worth backing at 3/1 to be on the podium in Sunday’s race.

Bwin offer 6/5 that there will be more than 16.5 finishers in the race and, despite the tight street circuit posing potential problems to drivers, it looks a nailed on bet to me. With 24 drivers on the grid in 2010, that would require eight retirements – something that has happened just once since 2002. Despite the circuit being tight, the actual nature of the track does not put too much strain on the cars, meaning driver errors are the likely cause of retirements.

BETRENDS ADVICE

Mark Webber – to win Grand Prix (each-way) – 11/2 (totesport)

Jenson Button – pole position (each-way) – 16/1 (general)

Jenson Button – podium finish – 3/1 (general)

Over 16.5 finishers – 6/5 (Bwin)