Solid Value With New Mercedes Driver Bottas in Australian Grand Prix

Rules have been updated, drivers have swapped teams, cars have been modified and even ownership has changed hands. Formula 1 saw a lot of changes in the offseason but 2017 promises to be an exciting season and it starts with the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

Nico Rosberg, last season’s champion, walked away from the sport mere days after winning his first title and that left vacant a highly prized Mercedes seat that ultimately went to Valtteri Bottas.

The former Williams driver will get the chance to prove that Mercedes made a shrewd move with a competitive drive in Melbourne and he’s sitting at the attractive price of +500 at online shop Bovada. His best finish in Melbourne was P5 in 2014 and he finished P8 one season ago but don’t be surprised to see him compete for P1 down under to get off to a great start with his new team. The W08 is going to be an absolute beast and if Bottas can handle the upgrade from an inferior Williams, he could have great betting value in the early races.

Speaking of Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton is the favorite to win the 2017 drivers’ championship and is the favorite in Melbourne at +120.

The Brit has captured two checkered flags in Australia (2008, 2015) and finished second in 2016. Worth noting here is that Hamilton did not record his first win in 2016 until Monaco, the sixth race of the season.

One team that looks poised to make some strides this season is Ferrari. The SF-70H looks to be vastly improved over last season and both Sebastian Vettel (+325) and Kimi Raikkonen (+800) have won races in Melbourne in their excellent careers.

Mercedes has dominated the sport for the past three seasons but Toto Wolff and company just might have some stiff competition. Only time will tell. The first race of the new season looks to be an exciting one on many fronts and could give us a glimpse into what’s in store.

Odds as of March 23 at Bovada