BETTING GUIDE: Who could excel as F1 returns to Italy and the Temple of Speed?

Hot on the heels of Zandvoort comes Monza, with the F1 circus heading to Italy for the second race after the summer break. They have barely had time to catch their breath from that frenetic Grand Prix last Sunday, but the drivers need to regroup quickly as they set about tackling this fabled Monza circuit. But who might excel here, and who do the odds have as favourite?

188BET’s odds are presented in decimal form: for every $1 wagered you would win the figure represented by the odds; so, if Verstappen is favourite at 1.50, you would win $1.50 for every dollar bet.

IT’S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we’re excited about ahead of the Italian Grand Prix

The odds for the win

No prizes for guessing who the bookmakers have as favourite. Max Verstappen equalled Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine straight victories last time out, and this weekend he could break the record outright if he wins for an incredible 10th straight race.

Sergio Perez is second favourite, the Mexican having a tough ask to get on the pace of his team mate at the moment. He hasn’t won since Azerbaijan, but has been showing glimpses that he has rediscovered some of his early-season form of late.

• Max Verstappen 1.25
• Sergio Perez 9.50
• Fernando Alonso, George Russell, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton 21.0
• Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri 34.0
• Carlos Sainz 67.0
• Alex Albon 151
• Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly 301
• Liam Lawson, Kevin Magnussen, Logan Sargeant, Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas, Yuki Tsunoda, Zhou Guanyu 601

The odds for who will be fastest in qualifying

Again, it is no surprise to see Verstappen the favourite here as well, after his dominant pole position last weekend in the tricky wet-dry qualifying at his home race. It was his eighth pole of the season, but watch out for Ferrari. At their home race they will be keen to keep the fans happy, and the Scuderia have looked stronger over one lap than on race pace this season.

NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2023 Italian Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc is normally very quick in qualifying, and has two pole position to his name this year despite being part of that very evenly matched pack that includes Mercedes, Aston Martin and McLaren. He knows what it takes to do well at this track, the memories of 2019 never far away.

• Max Verstappen 1.40
• Sergio Perez 9.00
• Charles Leclerc 12.0
• Carlos Sainz 17.0
• Alex Albon, Fernando Alonso, George Russell, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton 21.0
• Lance Stroll 67.0
• Esteban Ocon, Oscar Piastri, Pierre Gasly 151
• Kevin Magnussen, Liam Lawson, Logan Sargeant, Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas, Yuki Tsunoda, Zhou Guanyu 601

The odds for a podium finish

The podium last weekend featured Pierre Gasly for the first time this season, as the Alpine man secured his team’s second rostrum of the season after Esteban Ocon’s Monaco result. Considering Alpine have fallen behind the likes of McLaren and Aston Martin on pure pace this season, it is testament to their drivers that they have each delivered a podium. But what of Monza?

Gasly is another driver with fond memories of this place, the scene of his famous only Grand Prix victory. Oscar Piastri would dearly love a top three finish after only managing the feat so far during a Sprint, while Fernando Alonso will want another podium after putting those Aston Martin upgrades to good use last time out in Zandvoort.

READ MORE: Alfa Romeo unveil new Italian-inspired tribute livery for their home race in Monza

• Max Verstappen 1.10
• Sergio Perez 1.60
• Lando Norris 2.50
• Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton 2.75
• Charles Leclerc, George Russell 5.00
• Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri 7.00
• Alex Albon 17.0
• Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Logan Sargeant, Pierre Gasly 67.0
• Kevin Magnussen, Liam Lawson, Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas, Yuki Tsunoda, Zhou Guanyu 201

The odds for fastest lap

Alonso grabbed the bonus point last time out, which could prove crucial as he is involved in a tight fight with Lewis Hamilton for P3 in the drivers’ championship. So much could depend on how the closing stages of the race pan out though. It’s a short circuit, so very few drivers will likely have a free pit stop late on, meaning the point could go to whoever is brave enough to push hard on aging tyres late one.

• Max Verstappen 1.70
• Sergio Perez 5.00
• Fernando Alonso 6.00
• Lewis Hamilton 13.0
• George Russell, Lando Norris 17.0
• Charles Leclerc 21.0
• Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri 41.0
• Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly 151
• Kevin Magnussen, Liam Lawson, Logan Sargeant, Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas, Yuki Tsunoda, Zhou Guanyu 251

PALMER: Monza is under-pressure Sargeant’s best chance to shine – he must grab it if he wants a seat in 2024

What are the odds for which team will take the most points?

Red Bull are the heavy favourites to pick up a big chunk of points, and extend their lead in the constructors’ championship. Behind, it’s a toss up between Mercedes and McLaren, with both those teams having two drivers in fine form. George Russell’s Netherlands result was unflattering thanks to a late puncture, but until that point he had been running in the top 10.

As for McLaren, both their drivers have been on a fine run since their big upgrades arrives, but they aren’t expecting this track to necessarily suit their car this weekend.

• Red Bull 1.15
• McLaren, Mercedes 13.0
• Aston Martin, Ferrari 21.0
• Alpine, Williams 151
• Alfa Romeo, AlphaTauri, Haas 201

FULL TRANSCRIPT: Read every word from Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur's Beyond The Grid interview

The odds for a Safety Car appearing during the race

We had not one but two Safety Car periods last weekend, but with Monza forecast dry, the chances are slightly higher that the race will go off without one according to the bookmakers. And yet, this Grand Prix has thrown up some surprising results over the years – not least because of accidents that led to Safety Cars…

• Yes 1.50
• No 2.50