Formula One is extremely popular worldwide and has dedicated followers in several different countries. The season begins at the end of March and typically starts in the Southern Hemisphere.

Races are typically staged every couple of weeks with countries such as Belgium, Monaco, Austria, Hungary, Singapore and Mexico all staged races during the course of the season.

One of the most popular races on the calendar is the British Grand Prix which is held at Silverstone in Northamptonshire. It is an event which typically takes place mid-July and it attracts visitors from all across Europe. The championship standings have typically begun to take shape by this point and there is always plenty at stake in this race.

The race has been held in Britain since 1950 and 2019 will be the 52^nd time that Silverstone has hosted this magnificent sporting event. Britain is one of just two countries to have host a GP every year since the Championship begun (alongside Italy)

Attending the British GP is understandably high on many sports fan’s bucket lists and tickets often change hands for eye-watering prices.

The British Grand Prix Trophy is handed to the winner and this contest has been dominated by home-favourite Lewis Hamilton in recent years. He has won here five times and is level with Alain Prost and Jim Clark. Drivers must undertake 52 laps of the track and the course is considered to be one of the simpler tracks on the circuit.

When and Where

Although the date of the British GP is subject to change, it typically takes place in Mid-July at the height of British Summertime. It takes place at Silverstone Race Track although it has previously been staged at Aintree, Brands Hatch and Brooklands. Silverstone has hosted the event every year since 1987.

There have been murmurings about the possibility of moving the race to London in the future.

Why is the British GP so Popular?

Formula One fans are extremely dedicated to the sport and remain enthusiastic about every single one of the races on the calendar however the British GP is seen as one of the standout races each year.

It is held at a crucial part of the season and important points can be obtained at Silverstone.

There have also been a number of memorable contests staged at the track over the years and the race often evokes memories of these. From a betting perspective, there are always plenty of opportunities to spot trends and use statistics at this particular race.

What Betting Opportunities are Available?

There are several betting opportunities available ahead of the British GP and markets are typically priced up following the previous contest.

Punters can take advantage of several different markets (further details below) and it is generally advised to explore the various options available.

Bookmakers will also add markets for the first practice and qualifying events and these are always popular with Formula 1 fanatics. Once these are complete, further markets will be added for the race itself.

Popular Betting Markets

Outright Winner (Race Winner)

This is the simplest of the markets and it is a case of predicting the winning driver. Generally, the favourites are priced up at prohibitive odds but there have been races in which the betting market is fairly open. Your chosen driver will be required to finish in front in order to receive a pay-out.

Top Six Finish

Each bookmaker will offer a different number of places on each race but the majority of betting firms will offer a top six finish in the race. This is ideal for drivers who routinely drive well in the contest and it is a safer way of playing. Your driver will need to finish in the top six in order to receive a pay-out and retirements will also help in this regard.

Top Ten Finish

As above but with a little more leeway. Drivers will need to finish in the top ten and this is a good way of betting on outsiders. Some constructors typically put in solid performances at Silverstone and these are the ones to watch.

Driver Match Bet

A fun market in which you don’t need to predict the winner of the race. These are not available with every bookmaker but the majority will have a smattering of them available. For example, it could be 5/6 for Driver A to finish ahead of Driver B. In order to receive a pay-out, you would only need Driver A to finish in front of Driver B and it doesn’t matter if they finish 15^th and 16^th respectively.

Pole Position

A market which is available pre-qualifying and is a case of predicting which driver will begin the race at the front of the grid.

Fastest Lap

This is a market which will not be decided until the race has finished. Some drivers have quicker cars than their rivals and even if they finish 14^th, they realistically could still clock up the fastest lap of the race.

Winning Constructor

This is a market which requires bettors to predict which team will win the race. Some constructors will have two prominent drivers in the running and they are often the shorter priced options in this market. It’s a good way of hedging your bets and you don’t even have to predict the winning driver.

To Not Finish the Race

Many drivers will crash out of the contest or endure engine failure at some point during the race. Some of them have the habit of doing this on a regular basis and it is always advised to back these drivers in this market. It’s not a particularly positive market but it can be very profitable.

Bobby’s Big Betting Tips for British Grand Prix

• Driver History – Similar to horse racing, some competitors just drive well at particular tracks. Drivers who have been on the F1 circuit for many years will have their history available online and it’s always best to back drivers who enjoy driving at these particular venues. Alternatively, some drivers routinely fail to finish the race at Silverstone and there are markets available to back against them making it across the finishing line.
• Home Favourites – Lewis Hamilton has a great record in the race and as well as just being a terrific driver, he is also helped by the raucous home crowd. British drivers are always hugely popular and they should always be favourably priced in the market.
• Always Check the Weather Forecast – The weather can be interchangeable and it’s always best to check the forecast ahead of the British GP. Some constructors don’t cope well with heavy rain whilst windy conditions can also have a huge say in the outcome. It isn’t as much of a problem at Silverstone but it’s always best to anticipate the conditions and you may gain an edge on the bookmakers by being smart.
• Track Idiosyncrasies – Some cars such as Sauber are particularly good at preserving their tyres whilst others are not so economic in this respect. Savvy F1 bettors should take a look at the corners of the Silverstone circuit and work out how this will affect each team’s tactics. You can roughly anticipate a constructor’s system by studying their performance in previous contests. Luckily, there are many races prior to the British GP which should provide clues.

 Where Can I Watch the British GP in the UK?

If you aren’t lucky enough to be attending the race at Silverstone, UK sports fans can watch all of the action from Silverstone on Channel 4 and on Sky Sports Formula 1 each season.