British Grand Prix preview

Max Verstappen can afford to sit out the next three races and still maintain his lead in the Formula 1 title race, but don't expect the dynamic Dutchman to show any mercy in this weekend's British Grand Prix.

In Austria last week the defending two-time world champion was in a class of his own, and with its flowing curves and long periods at full throttle, Silverstone should prove an equally strong track for Verstappen's Red Bull machine.

He won the Sprint race last week by over 20 seconds and built such a lead in the main Grand Prix that he was able to make an extra pit stop for fresh tyres in the closing laps to snatch the extra point available for fastest lap, just to rub more salt in his rivals' wounds.

Verstappen is just 33/100 to take his winning streak to six in a row, but there are some more attractive bets to be had.

Tip 1 - Charles Leclerc podium finish @ 23/20

When Charles Leclerc retired from third place in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix it was at least an encouraging debut for the 2023 Ferrari that suggested the team could keep themselves in the championship mix this year.

But there followed several races of struggle for the Scuderia as Red Bull stretched clear while Aston Martin and Mercedes improved and battled for the podium places.

But an upgrade from Ferrari in Austria last week about a significant forward move, with Leclerc taking a comfortable second place behind Verstappen in the grand prix.

Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin was less suited by the flowing circuit, and is likely to be so again at Silverstone. Meanwhile Mercedes will be scratching their heads and hoping for the best after an unexpected slide in form at Spielberg.

That was a timely confidence boost for Leclerc, who has always gone well at Silverstone, and he could grab a fourth career podium at the track.

Tip 2 - Lando Norris top-six finish @ 29/20

Another driver who made a forward move in Austria was Lando Norris, showing the benefit of McLaren's latest upgrade.

The young Briton qualified and finished the race in the top four which is a significant improvement on anything else he has done this season.

The team have even more new parts for the car this weekend, and Norris is worth backing to reward them with another hatfull of points, by finishing his home race in the top six.

Tip 3 - Valtteri Bottas to beat Alexander Albon @ Evens

Alexander Albon put in a heroic defensive performance to finish seventh in Canada last month, but his Williams lacks the sophisticated aerodynamics needed to cope with the long, fast turns of Silverstone.

The Thai-British driver did well to finish 11th in Austria but this weekend could prove more of a struggle for the former Red Bull man.

Veteran Valtteri Bottas was one of the drivers who finished the Canadian race queued up behind Albon and he is worth backing to gain some revenge on the Williams driver.

Bottas' Alfa Romeo team picked up points in Spain and Canada but not much went right for them last week. The Finn should be capable of much better than his 15th-place finish in Austria.