So, who’s going to win the World Championship this year? It has been nip and tuck all season but Nico Rosberg has won each of the last three Grand Prix events and the German is looking well placed to claim a maiden world title.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton – who is the defending champion – has slipped down the pecking order in recent weeks and is now eight points adrift of his team-mate and closest rival for the crown.
The Singapore Grand Prix wasn’t the most exciting race by any stretch of the imagination but it could turn out to be vital in the battle for the world title. Rosberg managed to hold off a late challenge from Daniel Ricciardo and that particular triumph might be the turning point in the German's favour.
As of September 25th, Rosberg has a slender advantage but punters may be tempted to back defending champ Hamilton in the title race. While the German has won the last three races, GPs always seems to turn on the style when under serious pressure and the defending champ will still be quietly confident of emerging victorious.
The Briton is priced at 4/6 in Paddy Power's F1 betting odds and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the three-time world champion climb back above his team-mate and closest rival in the coming weeks. After all, it’s now crunch time and Hamilton relishes a battle; it would be foolish to back against the British star.
Without a doubt, Hamilton will go down as one of the greatest British drivers in Formula One history – if not THE greatest. Another world title would almost certainly cement his position as the best modern day driver and Hamilton will have Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of seven world championship crowns in his sights.
At just 31 years old, he is still more than capable of catching the legendary German but he might have to win this year to stand any chance of hunting the record down. If nothing else, a Rosberg victory could sway Mercedes’ thinking on contract offers in the coming years...
Next up is the very unpredictable Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit – and Hamilton may view this is a potential opportunity to get back on top. Last year, the British star secured pole position but lost out to Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.
In fact, the four-time world champion has an exceptional record on this circuit and he is hunting a record fifth victory in the race. In reality, a Ferrari victory wouldn’t be catastrophic for either Mercedes man; at least their main title rival wouldn’t be winning another race...
Singapore was a momentum-shifter in Rosberg’s favour and Hamilton will be desperate to get back to winning ways in Malaysia. Whilst it isn’t his favourite track, the circuit has plenty of scope for overtaking and the Briton will be aggressive in his pursuit of victory. Rosberg may be in control of his own destiny but Hamilton will still fancy his chances of claiming a fourth world title...