DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN.
That's Fleetwood Mac's The Wheel to the musically challenged among you. And, of course, a tenuous link such as that can mean only on thing. We're dipping a dipstick into the murky world of Formula One once more.
Since last we visited the pit lanes, there has been an unseemly falling out between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber over the manner in which the world champion won last month's Malaysian Grand Prix, when he defied team orders and overtook his Australian team-mate in the closing stages of the race.
Good on him, I said, although I doubt too many Aussies would agree. I'm happy because not only did it rile the Aussies, it meant a few extra shekels for my pot, having tipped Vettel to win at 2/1.
Excuse the lack of sentiment but there just isn't any place for it in betting. Take this weekend's Masters as an example. Europeans have a poor record in the event yet millions are poured on to them during the course of the four days because few people can stand watching Americans win anything. Anyway, back to the motor racing.
chinese grand prix
Lewis Hamilton has won two of the last five races in Beijing, admittedly in a different car to the one he will be driving this weekend, but a further pointer is that last year's race was won by Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes. This year's car is superior and another strong showing for the German team looks assured this weekend.
The Englishman is clearly the No.1 driver at Mercedes based on how team orders panned out in Malaysia and their machine is not far short of the Red Bull in terms of pace. Crucially, the discord between Vettel and Webber might play into the hands of the other teams. Historically, this has been a race with close finishes and that might also suit the Ferrari.
Tyre changes are going to determine the outcome of this race, just as they did last time out and it would be no surprise if Vettel and Webber are well in contention come the final few laps. It is then that one of the other prominently placed contenders might take advantage.
THE BET
Hamilton (generally a best-priced 8/1) is the only multiple winner of the race and this column has had plenty of success employing a formula of going for course-and-distance form in the past. It helps, too, that the Beijing track is set up perfectly for the Mercedes and at 8/1, it's worth a punt on The Pussycat Dolls groupie. I have a sneaking suspicion that Webber (10/1, betvictor and Ladbrokes) might be on to a bit of a promise should a little bit of history start to repeat itself and he finds himself in direct competition with Vettel for the win.
SEASON'S TOTAL
It will come as little comfort to those reading this that the Tenner Bet received an email in the early hours of Saturday morning, from a far more sagacious punter than me, detailing the claims of Auroras Encore for last weekend's Grand National. At £2 each way, I won my largest bet on the National. I also received a pay-out on Teaforthree but, unfortunately, merely served to offset the other losses to leave this week's total at £92.72.
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