Italian Grand Prix betting tips

Formula 1 returns to the ‘Temple of Speed’ Monza this weekend for the Italian Grand Prix with the indomitable Max Verstappen out to make history.

The Red Bull driver is aiming to become the first driver in Formula 1 to win ten successive races and is 1/5 to claim yet another piece of sporting history after an unrivalled period of success.

The Dutchman has won 20 of the last 24 races in a run stretching back to last season. It’s a sequence that includes his maiden win at the Italian Grand Prix last year and there’s little to suggest Verstappen won’t repeat.

A shake up to qualifying with the second trial of the Alternative Tyre Allocation, which resulted in a mixed-up grid in Hungary and Lewis Hamilton on pole, may provide a little jeopardy. Otherwise, bettors may look to steer clear of the win market if they want any value.

Bet 1: Oscar Piastri top-six finish @ 21/20

McLaren are bringing a new rear wing to Monza which they hope will push them back up the grid after a frustrating last two races.

Both drivers finished outside the top six in Belgium and the Netherlands, with Piastri’s race at Spa ended by a first lap collision.

That put a dampener on what had otherwise been a good weekend for the Aussie after he’d qualified in second and finished runner-up in the sprint race.

Piastri has grown into his maiden F1 season and has posted two top-six finishes in the last four races, narrowly missing out on the podium for the British Grand Prix.

Having performed well at other high-speed circuits and won at Monza when in F2, Piastri is set up for a good weekend.

Bet 2: Yuki Tsunoda to finish in the top 10 @ 19/5

AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda is another driver to have enjoyed success at Monza in the junior ranks and he offers a bit of value as an outsider to enjoy a points finish.

Without the distraction of Daniel Ricciardo in the same garage - Liam Lawson will replace the injured Aussie this weekend - Tsunoda will lead the charge for Red Bull’s feeder team.

The Japanese has a good record at similar low downforce circuits, finishing 10th in Azerbaijan and Belgium.

He qualified well on both those occasions and of those drivers towards the back of the grid hoping to nick a point or two, Tsunoda holds the greatest appeal.

Bet 3: Carlos Sainz to finish ahead of Charles Leclerc @ 27/20

Ferrari fans will be desperate to see their team perform well on home soil after a frustrating season to date.

It’s been a year since a Scuderia driver stood atop the podium and a temperamental car, coupled with the team’s habit for strange tactical decisions, makes a home victory unlikely.

Both drivers have struggled to get the best out of this year’s car at times, but Sainz has been the more consistent performer, recording 11 points finishes to Leclerc’s nine.

On his day, Leclerc is the better driver but is erratic and leads the head-to-head with Sainz only narrowly at 7-6. It may pay to bank on the Spaniard finishing ahead of his team mate in Italy.