Date: 05/03/2023
Venue: Bahrain International Circuit
Ferrari got off to a flying start last year and we’re hoping that proves the case again in our 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix predictions.
Charles Leclerc prevailed in the season opener 12 months ago, leading home Carlos Sainz for a Ferrari one-two, and is backed for a repeat success.
The Prancing Horse outfit fared well in pre-season testing and Leclerc is available at 7/2 in the Bahrain Grand Prix odds.
He won two of last year’s opening three rounds to establish a healthy advantage in the drivers’ championship.
However, the Monegasque added just one more victory from the next 19 races, ending the season a distant second, 146 points behind Max Verstappen.
Ferrari will be fired up for another fast start, though, with new team principal Fred Vasseur in charge following Mattia Binotto’s resignation.
The 54-year-old has been charged with ending the Scuderia’s championship drought, which stretches back to Kimi Raikkonen’s title triumph in 2007.
The former Alfa Romeo team principal declared: “I don’t want to be very happy just because I am at Ferrari.
“The most important thing is to win and that challenge is now in front of us. It will be a long season but the motivation is there.
“Last year, it is no secret that reliability was not the best aspect of our engine, but we have done a good job at the factory and we are now ready for the season.
“You can feel the responsibility for the team and it is a great honour, but the most important thing is to be successful and deliver. We are in a good place.”
This is a good venue to hit the ground running, with Ferrari having prevailed seven times in this contest down the years.
Felipe Massa bagged a brace of victories, Fernando Alonso scored in 2010 and Sebastian Vettel claimed a 2017 and 2018 double.
Leclerc commented: “2022 was a good step forward following two difficult years, but we finished second in the drivers’ championship and also in the constructors’ championship.
“We have done a great job trying to address the weaknesses that there were on the car and hopefully it will be better this season.”
Leclerc is viewed within Ferrari as the man most likely to lead the team’s challenge, but Vasseur insists he will not be awarded preferential treatment over Sainz.
The 28-year-old Spaniard secured his first success at a chaotic British Grand Prix last summer and is 10/1 to double that tally here.
“We have two very good drivers and they are both able to do the job,” declared Vasseur.
“We will have the capacity to provide them with exactly the same car, structure and support.
“The target is to win with Ferrari and for Ferrari – and there will be no number one and number two.
“But if at one stage we have to take action, I will take action and it doesn’t matter if it is for one driver or the other.”
Lewis Hamilton last year failed to win a race for the first time in his career and is 8/1 to get back on track in the Bahrain Grand Prix odds, with Mercedes teammate George Russell 16/1.
Hamilton has posted a record five victories in this event among his 103 race triumphs but the Silver Arrows still have some work to do judged on testing results.
Max Verstappen is 17/20 to begin his quest for a hat-trick of title triumphs by securing a maiden success at this venue, while Red Bull second string Sergio Perez is 8/1.
Aston Martin made a good impression in testing and 11/4 for Fernando Alonso to make the podium may feature in some Bahrain Grand Prix betting tips.
The 41-year-old Spanish veteran can boast three wins in this race, prevailing for Renault in 2005 and 2006 and for Ferrari 13 years ago.
Past Bahrain GP winners
2022 Leclerc (Ferrari), Sainz (Ferrari), Hamilton (Mercedes)
2021 Hamilton (Mercedes), Verstappen (Red Bull), Bottas (Mercedes)
2020 Hamilton (Mercedes), Verstappen (Red Bull), Albon (Red Bull)
2019 Hamilton (Mercedes), Bottas (Mercedes), Leclerc (Ferrari)
2018 Vettel (Ferrari), Bottas (Mercedes), Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 Vettel (Ferrari), Hamilton (Mercedes), Bottas (Mercedes)
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