Team Orders, Tire Strategy, Safety Cars, And Other Overlooked Factors That Boost The Win

0 1 4 minutes read

Often, starters in Formula 1 betting focus on raw speed, which can become a strategy for failure. In racing, multiple factors influence the race outcome besides speed alone.

In this article, we at Mating Press share some advice from the F1 betting experts from the UK over at FIRST.com to teach bettors how to read between the lines and maximize their chances of winning.

Let’s get started!

Team Orders

In racing, not all drivers are equal. Team orders, where one member of the team lets others pass or hold the position, are a frequent element of racing strategy, and knowing this is an excellent advantage before you start betting on the car.

Therefore, if you are betting on the driver to win or finish on the podium, understanding their role within the team is crucial and can significantly impact the betting outcomes.

Learning team orders is not the easiest thing, but it is possible. For this, you can watch historic races, read press releases, and check team dynamics.

Grid Positions

The starting position is a crucial factor in any race, but it is essential in circuits where overtaking is difficult.

The first position has several advantages, such as leading into the first corner and avoiding the chaos and congestion that occurs when several cars attempt to pass the corner first. This saves energy and reduces tire wear, since drivers don’t have to make aggressive movements to take the lead. Eventually, those starting first have lower chances of getting into the incidents, as, again, they don’t have to clear their way.

History shows that a large number of race winners have started near the front, making it a crucial factor to consider when placing bets.

The position of the car in the race is determined after the qualifying session held before the race. However, it is possible to verify this by comparing the historical performance of the race participants.

Tires

Tire strategy, which determines pit stop, timing, pace, and track position, is often a decisive factor. In cases where a race has little overtaking, the pit stop is often a decisive factor that determines the winner. Teams can choose from different compounds (types of tyres) to develop various strategies. Softer tires provide a better grip, but they wear out quickly. Hard tires last longer but may not offer the same level of performance.

Knowing how many pit stops teams make, what tires they use, and what tire strategy they have developed in the past can give important insights into how the race will be organized.

Team Strategy

It is worth remembering that the team style and strategy have an essential role in F1. Each team has a specific style of performing pit stops, managing tyres, and refueling. Some of them perform better in dry weather, while others excel in wet weather. Some are doing better in short circuits and vice versa. Paying attention to team behavior during the races and learning their historical strategies adds a decisive factor in determining who to bet on.

Safety Cars

Safety cars often work as equalizers during races. They are let out to control the speed of competing vehicles in hazardous situations, such as during accidents or bad weather. The safety car leads the pack at a reduced speed. This allows marshals to clear the track and resolve the issue safely.

For racing cars, the appearance of the safety car can be a game-changer, as it allows the leaders to lose their momentum and the race to be restarted. Specific circuits, such as those of Monaco and Singapore, are known for having more frequent safety car periods than others (e.g., Monza).

Knowing this can help bettors determine the probability of an uninterrupted race and calculate the team chances accordingly. Before the race, it is recommended to review the historical data for each circuit, including weather conditions and the track’s general characteristics. Some sports betting services offer even odds on whether the safety car will appear.

Track Characteristics

Naturally, all tracks are different. Some consist of lots of long straits. Others have lots of high-braking zones. And medium-speed corners. Some have a mix of all of these. The characteristics of the track are essential in combination with the team’s strategy, information on the tire type, and weather conditions.

For example, cars with greater speeds will excel on tracks with longer straights, while teams with superior handling skills will have an advantage on tracks with many tight corners.

Weather Conditions

Weather is the most obvious, yet often overlooked, factor in a successful race completion. Rain can create unpredictable environments and contribute to unforeseen situations, like incidents. The same refers to heat, which influences how the tires react to the hot track. Again, some teams perform better in hot weather, while others are great only when it is dry.

Knowing the weather forecast and combining it with other factors of the future race, you have a better chance of predicting the driver’s performance and the race results.

Rule Changes and Innovations

Not only can the rule changes shake the world of F1, but also the innovations in engineering. New tire materials, cars, and engines may change how the cars perform. Innovations can either benefit the whole team or undermine their chances, as improvements also need to be tested in real-life conditions, and the first race after the update release is often the most crucial.

Additionally, the changes in how the race is conducted often occur. For example, the tricks that help one team win can lead to disqualification in the next season due to changes in the rules.

Summing up

Betting on Formula 1 is an art of knowing many factors, which often may change the results of the game. In any case, knowing the whole picture puts a bettor in a better position compared to those who bet with only fragmented knowledge in their head.

Bill Maher 22 seconds ago

0 1 4 minutes read