Editor's note: On Friday it was announced that Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will start the Belgian Grand Prix from the back of the grid as penalty for using too many engine parts. The odds table has been updated but the article remains otherwise as published from Thursday

Max Verstappen stands a chance of becoming the first driver to win consecutive Belgian Grands Prix since Kimi Raikkonen did so in 2005 – but can Charles Leclerc or anyone else for that matter stop the championship leader from doing so, and netting his third-straight victory?

The weather might not work against the drivers this weekend but there’s plenty to upset the favorite in Belgium... 

2022 Belgian Grand Prix Odds

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook and accurate as of publication.

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2022 Belgian Grand Prix Betting Tips

Verstappen is way out in front heading to Belgium, the country in which he was born. The Dutch driver not only won the last two Grands Prix – France and Hungary – but is favorite on sports betting sites to win his second Belgian Grand Prix, following on from his triumph at the rain-shortened 2021 race. 

This time out, the Red Bull driver is aiming for maximum points (rather than the half points he got last time) and while it seems like he’s going to cruise to a third-straight win this season, Ferrari and Mercedes will be right on his heels. 

Not only is it uncommon that a driver wins consecutive Belgian GPs, but Ferrari have serious straight-line speed and Charles Leclerc – who lost out on victory with a spin in France before strategy proved his downfall in Hungary – will be itching to make up for lost points here. Furthermore, Carlos Sainz has proven to be on par with his Ferrari teammate as the season has gone on. 

Mercedes have also clawed their way back towards the front with six consecutive podium finishes – both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell having finished in the top three in the last two races – and the Silver Arrows will be hoping this weekend that new rules (coming into play from this weekend) concerning design and safety of the car floors will hurt their rivals, and instead help them.

2022 Belgian Grand Prix Predictions

In Hungary, I leaned towards Leclerc as the favorite to win. The Ferrari driver indeed looked favorite to win off shock pole-sitter Russell, right until the team botched Leclerc’s strategy. As a result of his superior strategy, Verstappen swept to the lead at Leclerc’s expense.

In Belgium, things are perhaps too close to call on both Saturday and Sunday. Given we’ve had four different pole winners in four weekends, Russell ripping up the form book with pole in Hungary, this truly could be an open contest between six drivers.

While Verstappen is favorite at +120 and Leclerc close with odds of +175 (both via BetMGM), perhaps it’s worth sticking a stake on Carlos Sainz to take pole – at +700 from BetMGM – once again. After all, he managed to do so back at Silverstone, a similarly high-speed track. 

Verstappen is also clear favorite to win the Grand Prix, BetMGM putting him at +100 to do so, while Leclerc is +300. Leclerc might be worth a punt, given he has been strong on Sundays before infuriating events, such as his spin in France or poor strategy in Hungary, held him back. 

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Another thing to note here is the possibility of engine penalties, with both Red Bull drivers at risk of being dropped down the grid on Sunday if they take new engine parts – the pain of which both Ferrari drivers have already felt, and recently at that. News of a grid drop normally files in after Friday’s practice sessions have started, and sometimes as late as FP3 on Saturday.

I also backed Lewis Hamilton to take a fifth straight podium in Hungary, and he did so. Odds of -140 via BetMGM show that he is likely to finish in the top three in Belgium; back teammate Russell with odds of +130 on betting apps instead.

If you feel inclined to back favorite Verstappen this time around – not unwise – then consider BetMGM’s offering of +300 for him to do so by 10+ seconds, but be aware that this is an infrequent occurrence as of late; Sebastian Vettel was the last driver to achieve this feat, back in 2018. It might not make for an exciting race, but this bet could make you some money.

For an outside bet, consider Lando Norris or Fernando Alonso to finish in the top six with odds of +120 and +125 at Caesars Sportsbook.

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