Formula One Odds: Verstappen Frontrunner to End Hamilton's Reign

The 2021 Formula 1 season is the most exciting we’ve seen in recent years.

The growing popularity of the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’ certainly has a lot to do with the increase of eyeballs on the sport, but so does the fact we’re seeing as tight of a race at the top of the Drivers Championship that we’ve seen in some time.

It’s a two-man race at the top of the leaderboard, as Max Verstappen of Red Bull has a slight lead over Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes.

WynnBET’s odds to win the Drivers Championship reflect just how close of a competition it is, as Verstappen is listed as a slight -125 favorite with Hamilton right behind him at -105.

Hamilton has established himself as arguably the greatest driver in Formula 1 history. He already has the most career wins, most pole positions, most podium finishes, most points, most laps led, and the list goes on.

The one record he has left to claim, is the most Drivers Championships in Formula 1 history. He’s currently tied with Michael Schumacher with the most of all time at seven, so he needs one more to claim sole ownership of the all-time record. He's won the last four straight Drivers Championships, as well as six of the last seven.

The young prodigy Verstappen stands in his way this season. The 23-year old burst onto the F1 scene in 2016 when he became the youngest driver to compete in Formula 1 at 17 years and 166 days. The Dutch racer has already claimed 13 wins in his young career, and he finished in third place in the Drivers Championship in 2019 and 2018.

Verstappen currently sits atop the leaderboard this season with 131 points, and Hamilton sits second with 119 points.

The next race is set for this weekend, the Styrian Grand Prix. Verstappen is the +140 favorite to win the race, with Hamilton listed right behind him on the odds list at +145.