Verstappen bookmakers' favourite in Imola

The bookmakers have placed Max Verstappen as the slight favorite to win next week's Grand Prix. Imola is the second race of the year and despite Lewis Hamilton winning in Bahrain, the Dutch Red Bull Racing driver has the best chance of winning.

Max Verstappen is the bookmakers favourite with Sky Bet offering 11/8 for him to be the first man across the line. Hamilton is the second favourite at 6/4. Valtteri Bottas is an interesting pick at 7/1 and if you think Sergio Perez will take his second ever win in Formula 1 in Italy, he's 11/1.

Verstappen and Italy

Verstappen failed to finish all of the last three races in Italy. In 2020, the 23-year-old Limburger recorded DNFs at Mugello, Monza and Imola. A retirement would put Verstappen right behind Lewis Hamilton in the battle for the world title.

Honda has used the last two weeks to investigate the electrical problems of Perez and Pierre Gasly. The components were changed in Bahrain as a precaution. It is expected that the components can be used again.