Max Verstappen has been the talk of Formula 1 over the last few years. Between 2021, and 2024 he’s been winning consecutive titles in the FIA Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. In his now 10 seasons in the sport, he scored 63 grands prix wins.
Yet bettors are starting to question whether he’s still the man to place their wagers on at online sportsbooks. His future has been questioned by experts, and there are a lot of mixed opinions on whether he remains a smart pick.
So, BetZillion’s team weighs in on this question and takes a look at Verstappen’s performance, as well as his possible move away from Red Bull.
Verstappen’s recent performance
Verstappen’s career really took off when Red Bull promoted him from the then Toro Rosso junior team in 2016. Since then, we’ve seen him win four titles and 63 races. His 2024 season started off well at the Bahrain Grand Prix. He was able to achieve his 100th Formula 1 podium when he came out victorious during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Fans were shaken when Verstappen made a surprising move during his race in the Australian Grand Prix, though. By the fourth lap, he decided to retire from the race. This was the first time he retired in a Grand Prix since 2022. By the Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen had a winning streak of nine races and a finishing streak of 43.
Despite this setback, Verstappen went on to win the Japanese Grand Prix; he took first place for the sprint races in both Miami and China.
But he’d been having some trouble keeping up with his performance compared to previous seasons. Key to note that Lando Norris was able to take the Miami Grand Prix win after a badly timed pit stop for Verstappen allowed the McLaren driver through into the lead that he would not relinquish until the chequered flag,
Verstappen had a long-running pole streak but lost it when he qualified sixth at the Monaco Grand Prix. He did comment on the loss and blamed it on the RB20’s performance in certain corners on street tracks.
During the 2024 season, Verstappen clearly faced some struggles. He wasn’t able to even get onto the podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix or the Italian Grand Prix. At the Dutch Grand Prix, he ended up second at his home race after he was overtaken by Norris. During the Austrian Grand Prix, after a clash with Norris at Turn 3, Verstappen picked up time penalty as he was adjudged to have caused the clash.
When we look at the 2024 season and compare it to previous ones, we can see that Verstappen isn’t performing as well as he used to. This is one of the reasons why there’s been so much concern among fans.
Betting market trends on Verstappen
Bettors and experts have raised questions about Verstappen’s recent performance. That’s normal, given the performance we’ve seen from him in the last year.
While this is true, not everyone is pulling out from betting on Verstappen. The odds are still great for Verstappen in various championships. In the Australian Grand Prix Winner category, the betting odds for Max Verstappen is 3/1, matching Lando Norris, his friend and competitor. Lewis Hamilton has a 7/1 odds, and Charles Leclerc a 15/4.
For the Drivers’ Championship Winner category, Verstappen’s odds sit at 13/5. Lando Norris has a 12/5 odds.
There’s also still strong support for betting on Verstappen, as many believe he will pull through and still come out at the top for the current F1 season.
Red Bull’s strength and potential challenges
When Red Bull signed Verstappen in 2016, a lot of experts considered this a gamble given his young age at the time. However, looking at his performance since then, especially if you consider how he’s been raking in wins since 2021, it does seem like it paid off for Red Bull.
At the same time, his time with Red Bull hasn’t been without ups and downs. Red Bull is considered a strong influence in Formula 1. But there have been times when Verstappen (or indeed his controversial father, Jos) has made hints that some have taken as signs he might be looking for a move to a different team.
At one time, Helmut Marko was potentially leaving Red Bull after some leaks came into the public eye. Verstappen mentioned that he would not continue to be a part of the Red Bull Racing team if Marko left.
In recent news, more details have come to front about a potential move away from Red Bull. These reports suggest that Verstappen might move to Aston Martin and that they’ve been able to beat Mercedes in their pursuit of signing him to their team. But Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull is valid until 2028, so there’s no way of knowing what exactly is to come in the near future.
What BetZillion experts say
BetZillion has been giving bettors expert advice and tips to help them place wagers on the right teams and sports. Founded by Sergio Cllins, who is not only passionate about sports but also betting on these events, the company has grown significantly over the past couple of years.
BetZillion recently introduced user accounts, an integrated odds comparison tool, and much more. You can check out new betting sites reviewed by BetZillion to discover the best promotions and features that suit your preferences.
The platform has been growing rapidly recently, even providing expert opinions and covering news on their X account. By reaching these milestones, BetZillion continues in its efforts to provide an environment that’s convenient for any kind of bettor.
Following extensive research and considering the data that are currently available, BetZillion believes that there’s still a possibility that Max Verstappen will win current and future seasons. He’s been on the road for almost a decade now and continues to outperform many of his competitors.
However, BetZillion’s experts also believe that bettors should keep their options open. While a bet on Max Verstappen’s positions can still be a smart pick, going after alternatives like Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Lando Norris should not be missed opportunities.
Conclusion: Is Verstappen still the smart pick?
Verstappen has been facing some crossroads recently. Talks about a move to Aston Martin have made bettors concerned. However, a lot of experts still consider Verstappen a smart move to bet on for various races, including the Drivers’ Championship and the Australian Grand Prix.
