Friday 14 March 2014 11:00, UK
New engines, new rules, new drivers and, in Sky Bet's case, new favourites too. The 2014 season, at least in prospect, could hardly be any different to how 2013 drew to a close with a whimper in Sao Paulo last November.
The Grove outfit were 40/1 for the Constructors' Title before testing and they're now significantly shorter at 11/1, though Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren remain ranked ahead of them in the betting market. However, Williams can be backed to finish in the top three at 9/4. Felipe Massa is 4/6 to outscore Valtteri Bottas (11/10) and the Brazilian is in fact Sky Bet's biggest liability in the Drivers' Title market, having attracted plenty of money at 80/1 before testing. He's still a long shot at 22/1, but he has a decent chance of outscoring former Ferrari team-mate Alonso at 9/4. Meanwhile, Jenson Button is a 12/1 outsider for the Drivers' Title but has odds of 5/2 to finish in the top three, a clear sign of how much progress has gone on at McLaren in the off-season, with the 2009 World Champion 9/4 to score a podium finish in Australia. His new team-mate Kevin Magnussen has impressed in his McLaren so far and the Dane is one of three rookies on the grid, with Russian youngster Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso and Marcus Ericsson of Caterham being the other two. Sky Bet offer 7/2 that any one of the trio finishes on the podium in Melbourne. Odds are subject to change. New to Sky Bet? Get your free £30 matched bet here.
