Formula 1 races aren’t just as exciting on the ground. The fans also experience that one-of-a-kind adrenaline-rushing experience. Join us in this guide on how to bet on F1 that explores all you need to know about it.
We’ll start from the beginning, explaining in detail how Formula 1 works, taking you through the various stages of this sport. We’ll also give you some tips for betting on Formula 1, from staying in the loop when F1 news, choosing the right bet option when betting on this sport, selecting the right sportsbook to bet on, and so on.
Allow us to circle back a little bit and discuss how this sport works. Now, Formula 1 (or as many refer to it as F1), is a motor sport in which participants compete by racing open-wheel cars.
Normally, participants from opposing teams take part in race weekends, which consist of practice, qualifying, and Grand Prix sessions. Let’s take a closer look at them:
Practice Sessions
As its name suggests, practice sessions in F1 sports competitions allow teams to practice. This involves the participants testing out the tracks as well as new parts of their cars, verifying the initial first setup from the simulators, and so on.
Usually, practice is divided into two or three sessions, taking place on Friday and early Saturday.
Qualifying Sessions
After the practice sessions comes the qualifying period, which takes place later on Saturdays. Like the practice sessions, the qualifying stage is also divided into three segments: Q1, Q2, and Q3. Here’s a breakdown of what happens during these three sessions:
Q1:
In this stage, the participants race, and the last five drivers are eliminated. This segment takes about 18 minutes.
Q2:
Just like the first qualifying stage, the last five drivers after the race are eliminated. This session takes about 15 minutes.
Q3:
In this stage, the remaining drivers (usually 10) compete for the “pole position” on the tracks in the Grand Prix.
Grand Prix
The remaining 10 drivers then compete in the grand finale that takes place on Sundays. Normally, a Grand Prix race is held over at least 350 kilometers and lasts for about 2 hours. At the end of this race, the 10 drivers/teams receive points according to their position. It is these points that contribute to the drivers’ standings in the Formula 1 World Championship. That being said, here’s a summary of these points.
Grand Prix position
Number of points awarded
1st
25
2nd
18
3rd
15
4th
12
5th
10
6th
8
7th
6
8th
4
9th
2
10th
1
Pros and Cons of Formula 1 Gambling at UK Sports Betting Sites
Pros and Cons
A great selection of F1 races to wager on
A wide selection of F1 betting markets
Bonus offers available for F1
It can be confusing for beginners
Tips for Betting on Formula 1
Now that we’ve looked at how F1 unfolds, let’s get into tips for betting on this sport.
📰 Always Stay Updated on the Latest F1 News
A popular tip not just for F1 betting, but also a useful tip on
how to bet on football, is to always stay updated on the sports’ latest news.
When it comes to Formula 1, there is tons of information that you need to keep up with. This includes the race winners, overall championship points, drivers moving from one team to another, changes to a race’s rules, and the list goes on.
Staying updated on the latest F1 news will help you a great deal, as it will enable you to make more informed decisions when it comes to your wagers.
🏎️ Pay Close Attention to Practice and Qualifying Sessions
We also advise paying close attention to the F1 practice and qualifying sessions. These two sessions will give you more insight into what to expect when it comes to the Grand Prix races.
For example, during the practice sessions, you’ll have an idea of how the different cars of various drivers perform. Also, the position of the drivers in the qualifying sessions will also give you an insight into whether or not they’ll qualify for the Grand Prix. If they do, you’ll have an idea of how they’ll perform in the Grand Prix races.
📊 Choose a Sports Betting Site with an Extensive Range of F1 Betting Markets
When selecting a UK sportsbook to join and bet on Formula 1, we recommend going for one with a wide selection of bet options spread across the F1 events. That being said, let’s take a look at some of these bet options:
Race winner:
This is a bet that predicts which driver/team will win a particular race. Being a more straightforward wager, this is a suitable option, especially for those new to this sport.
Pole position:
This bet predicts which driver will start a Grand Prix race in pole position. As we explained earlier, the last qualifying session in F1 involves drivers competing for the pole position in the Grand Prix.
Fastest lap:
With this bet, you get to predict which driver will complete the fastest lap during a particular race. Normally, the fastest lap is set at any time during an F1 race, and while a driver may not be the first one to finish the race, they can complete the fastest lap.
Top 3 Finish:
This is another pretty straightforward bet that predicts which driver(s) will finish in the top three positions.
F1 betting exchanges:
Some UK sportsbooks also offer the betting exchange option for various sports, including F1 (you can read our more detailed
betting exchanges explained
guide). Just to summarize, betting exchanges allow bettors to bet against each other instead of the bookmaker. For example, you and a friend have different predictions on who’ll win in a particular F1 race, so you both bet £30. If the driver you backed up wins, your friend pays you £30, and if the driver your friend backs up wins, you pay them £30.
So, when selecting a UK sports betting site to join and bet on Formula 1, ensure that the website is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. This particular license is a testament that the sportsbooks have been vetted and meet the required standards, making it a safe site to join. Pro tip: take a look at the betting sites listed in our banners since they’ve the top UK sportsbooks right now.
🎁 Make Use of the Bonus Offers Available at UK Sportsbooks
Another great tip, not just for Formula 1 betting, but also a useful tip on
how to bet on esports, is to leverage the bonuses available at UK sportsbooks. With these offers, you get rewards, including free bets.
Among the bonus offers at UK sports betting sites are:
Welcome deposit bonus:
Almost all UK sportsbooks offer a sign-up deposit bonus, which is a percentage, like 100% of your first deposit.
Promotions:
Many UK sports betting sites also have promotions that you can participate in to receive rewards like free bets, a boost on bet winnings, and more.
VIP high-roller offers:
These offers are exclusive to members of a UK sportsbook’s VIP loyalty program (it’s important to note that not all sports betting sites have loyalty programs). These bonuses include reload offers, cashbacks, special weekly and monthly bonuses, just to mention a couple.
How to Bet on F1: Final Thoughts
We’ve come to the end of the guide on how to bet on Formula 1 sports. We trust that we’ve given you an extensive look at all you need to know about F1 betting. Before we call it a day, we’d like to include one more tip: don’t go overboard. This is in regard to your bankroll. Make sure you have a budget that prevents you from using funds that weren’t meant for F1 betting or any other type of gambling in the first place. And don’t forget to click on our banners to sign up to a legit and reliable sportsbook to bet on F1.
How to Bet on F1- FAQs
There are many fantastic UK online sportsbooks that offer F1 betting. Be sure to check the banners on our website for recommended sites.
As we explained in the guide, the driver in first position gets 25 points in the final Grand Prix races while the driver in 10th position gets 1 point.
Q1 means Qualifying stage 1, which is the first segment of the Qualifying race series in Formula 1.
