Hamilton favourite for 2017 title followed by Verstappen, Bottas

Lewis Hamilton is the clear favourite to win the 2017 Formula 1 world championship, according to popular betting company Ladbrokes. Hamilton won his first title in 2008 with McLaren before two consecutive titles at Mercedes in 2014 and 2015.

The Brit failed to add a fourth title in 2016, with that honour going to former team mate Nico Rosberg who retired days after claiming his title. Valtteri Bottas takes his seat at the Silver Arrows who have dominated the sport for the past three years.

Hamilton leads the odds with a massive 5/4 chance, with Dutchman Max Verstappen coming in at 4/1. Verstappen, who will compete in his first full season at Red Bull added a victory to his list of achievements in 2016 when he won on his Red Bull debut at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Red Bull are expected to challenge Mercedes for the 2017 title due to a major aerodynamic overhaul which should play into the strengths of the Austrian team. 

Hamilton's new team mate Bottas is in at 3/1, with Verstappen's team mate at Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo in at 7/2. More bets have been placed on Hamilton than any other driver, but Verstappen and Bottas have pulled together 36% of all bets placed in the market.

Interestingly, Fernando Alonso has had more bets placed on him for the 2017 title than Ricciardo or Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari.

Fergal Walsh