Every time Kimi Antonelli has been asked a serious question this season, he has come up with a positive answer - and we’re tipping that trend to continue in our Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia predictions .
This race has been switched from Sakhir due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, but the Sepang International Circuit should suit Mercedes , with its long straights and fast, flowing corners.
The pressure is on Antonelli to perform after team-mate George Russell trimmed his title lead to 66 points with a convincing victory in Azerbaijan , where the championship leader fought back to finish fifth after a crash in qualifying left him 16th on the grid.
“I was driving a bit like my grandmother,” admitted Antonelli . “I was taking no risks and making sure what I did was done without damage. It was about saving points. But it wasn’t the usual Kimi . I was only at 80 per cent.”
However, when asked about Russell’s renewed title challenge, the Italian vowed: “I'll make sure next week I re-establish the order. Luckily, we have another race coming up, and I'm really looking forward to it."
Looking at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia odds , Antonelli is fancied at 11/8 to back up that fighting talk with a fitting triumph.
Betting Odds
Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia Betting Odds – Formula 1
Driver | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Kimi Antonelli | 11/8 | 42.1% |
George Russell | 3/1 | 25% |
Lando Norris | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Max Verstappen | 15/2 | 11.8% |
BAR | 12/1 | 7.7% |
* Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Kimi Antonelli is the 11/8 favourite to win the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, ahead of George Russell (3/1) and Lando Norris (7/1).
How to Watch
How to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will be broadcast live on Sky Sports , with Sunday’s race having a UK start time of 08:00 BST .
Russell revelling in hunter role
Russell revelling in hunter role
Russell delivered one of the best performances of his career to win in Baku , charging to pole position before navigating his way through two safety car periods on race day to secure his third win of the campaign .
Having played second fiddle to Antonelli for most of the year after initially starting out as the championship favourite, the Briton appeared to relish driving with the freedom of an underdog in Azerbaijan .
With 208 points still to play for across the remaining eight rounds, the Briton can be backed at 3/1 to close the gap again in Malaysia this week .
“There’s much less pressure on me than there is on him,” insisted Russell . “The game plan is to win every race. My team-mate has had an incredible season, he has been flawless, but now we are getting to crunch time.”
He added : “I knew I could find the performance, I just had to be patient. And now I feel I can fight for victory week in, week out. It was the most dominant weekend I have had in my career.
“I have got this big deficit, but it can change quickly. I am not chasing that - I am chasing a win at every race. And what will be, will be.”
Verstappen again value bet for podium?
Verstappen again value bet for podium?
Max Verstappen put in yet another creditable effort in Baku , ultimately getting to within one tenth of a second of Russell to make it back-to-back runner-up placings.
In fact, the Red Bull ace has now finished on the podium six times in the last eight races, having failed to complete the course in the other couple of events.
Verstappen is sure to attract support at 5/4 to secure a top-three spot once more , while the flying Dutchman is 15/2 to win at a track where he landed the last Malaysian Grand Prix back in 2017.
McLaren’s Lando Norris had a race to forget in Azerbaijan after Franco Colapinto triggered a three-car pile-up which forced him to retire and the defending world champion is 7/1 to bounce back with a win this weekend .
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are both available at 12/1 following a week in which Ferrari moved to distance themselves from Christian Horner by declaring “full confidence” in team principal Fred Vasseur .
Betting Tips
Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia Betting Tips
Max Verstappen to secure top-three finish @ 5/4
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