In what is becoming a boring habit, Sebastian Vettel has again claimed pole position in a Formula 1 Grand Prix – this time the European Grand Prix in Valencia. This is the ninth straight pole for Vettel and the eighth straight this season. Fortunately for race fans and Formula 1 betting enthusiasts, pole doesn’t guarantee a win.

Alongside Vettel is his team mate Mark Webber giving Red Bull yet another 1-2 start to a race. The erratic Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) has third place on the starting grid ahead of the Ferrari pair of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa in fourth and fifth. Jenson Button is sixth in the second McLaren – a position he seems too comfortable with as shown in his victory in Canada last time out.

In Formula 1 betting, Vettel is again a short-priced favourite to win. Bookmakers have quoted him at 3/4 ahead of Hamilton at 4/1, Mark Webber at 8/1 and then Alonso and Button at 10/1. The question mark in this race is Hamilton. He has been erratic and severely criticized for some aggressive and rather silly maneuvers in recent races – even crashing into his own team mate’s car in Canada.

Vettel won here last year and seems to be in good touch with the circuit. With 25 corners to negotiate it can be tricky, but Vettel breezed through them in qualifying. Vettel is short priced, but deservedly so. If Vettel and Webber get good starts, you can expect the latter to run interference for his team mate helping Vettel establish a good lead. From there it’ll be a procession. We’re tipping a Red Bull 1-2 finish in this race – Coral are offering 4/1 for the dual forecast bet – the best odds by a long shot.