Michael Schumacher and formula 1 online betting odds
4th August, 2009
Having had further time to digest the news that Michael Schumacher will replace the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari for the remainder of the 2009 Formula One season, the odds compilers have been busy pricing up a number of special bets relating to the German's chances.
Schumacher, crowned world drivers' champion on no less than seven occasions, will make his comeback alongside Kimi Raikonen for the Maranello based team at the European Grand Prix in Valencia on Sunday August 23rd.
With an incredible 91 career race wins to his name already Schumacher is quoted at no higher than 12/1 with Boylesports to mark his return to the track in the best possible fashion by taking the chequered flag.
Schumacher is also just a 2/1 shot with fellow Irish bookmaker Paddy Power to finish on the podium while the same firm have seen money for him in recent days to qualify in pole position. That is now a 10/1 chance.
Having not raced since the Brazilian Grand Prix of 2006 plenty of pundits have cast doubt about Schumacher's ability to be competitive on his reappearance in just over three weeks time but the layers are taking no chances on a driver who has competed in a staggering 250 F1 races to date. He is given a quote of just 2/1 by Bet 365 to win any race this season and looking further ahead William Hill rate him 3/1 to drive in the 2010 campaign.
In the betting for the European Grand Prix itself Lewis Hamilton has been installed as 11/4 favourite to win back-to-back races following his triumph in Hungary while fellow Brit, and Championship leader, Jenson Button is as big as 17/2 with Stan James.
Button's team Brawn GP have struggled in recent races to match the pace of rivals Red Bull but the 29-year-old remains the evens favourite with Betfred to be crowned world champion for the first time. There are seven races remaining in what has been another compelling season of Formula One.
By Tom Allen
