Bet on Hamilton and Alonso in Malaysian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton is 9/4 to win the Malaysian Grand Prix after steering his McLaren into second position in Saturday’s qualifying.

The pole position on the grid was secured by race-favourite Sebastian Vettel, who already won this Grand Prix for Red Bull in 2010, with his team-mate Mark Webber in third, McLaren’s Jenson Button in fourth and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in fifth.

Having won last year and with Red Bull once again showing great pace in qualifying, there is no doubt that Vettel is a rightful favourite for this year’s race. But it pays to remember that the Malaysian Grand Prix is notoriously unpredictable since being moved to the Sepang Circuit in 2002 and up towards the beginning of the Formula One schedule.

In the nine instalments at Sepang, only one driver, Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2007, has won more than once. And the weather – both intense heat and tropical storms have featured in the past – is often a factor.

Lewis Hamilton has not won at Sepang before, but he has shown fantastic form around the circuit all weekend and at 9/4 is great value for the race victory. Fernando Alonso is notoriously good around the track too, and both the 20/1 available on him to win and the 5/2 on him to finish among the podium positions represent good value.

Mark Webber (5/1) and Jenson Button (7/1) are also well placed to win the race with Red bull and McLaren both showing great pace this weekend. They line up side by side in the second row of the grid behind Vettel and Hamilton.

A winning £20 bet on Lewis Hamilton to win the Malaysian Grand Prix would yield a £65 return. Take advantage of the best Formula One odds at Ladbrokes and get a free £30 bet if you sign up for an account through one of the links on this site after 8pm on Saturday 9 April.