Best and Worst Tracks for Overtaking (and What That Means for Your Bets)

What Makes a Track Good or Bad for Overtaking?

Although overtaking opportunities vary from track to track, there are some external factors that make a track good or bad for overtaking. They include;

• Track width: If a track is narrow, such as in Monaco, there is less space for cars to overtake each other. But for wider circuits, there is enough space for cars to be side by side, which creates overtaking opportunities.

• Corner layout: Sharp corners, such as hairpin corners or 90-degree turns, offer great opportunities for overtaking. Also, corners with a heavy braking zone present good opportunities for cars to overtake.

• Long straights: This gives cars the chance to shine, allowing the driver to build up speed before attempting to overtake.

• DRS zones: Drag Reduction System (DRS) zones play a vital role in modern overtaking, as they make tracks like Silverstone more pass-friendly. That said, you should bet on drivers who use DRS systems in their cars, which helps boost speed while overtaking.

• Tyre degradation: If a circuit has a high tyre wear level, there are more opportunities for drivers to overtake. This is because high wear forces divers to make two pit stops. So, you can bet on more experienced drivers who can take care of their car tyres and reduce tyre wear.

The Best Tracks for Overtaking (UK & Global Examples)

With a long history of motor racing and motorsport betting, the UK offers some of the best circuits. Let’s look at the top tracks for overtaking that you can bet on.

Silverstone

As the most iconic British motorsport, Silverstone is the leader when it comes to the best tracks for overtaking. With its sprawling length of 3.6 miles (5.79 km), 12 corners and sweeping beds, it is a favourite among motorsports bettors as it attracts the most renowned drivers and cars.

Brands Hatch (BTCC)

This track offers 11 corners and a circuit length of 2.43 miles (3.91 km). Its challenging elevation changes and tight corners, especially in Paddock Hill and Druids, have made this track a favourite for both casual and seasoned punters.

Donington Park

Donington boasts a reputation for offering exhilarating races that keep punters and fans on the edge of their seats. It features fast straights, technical sections, and spans 2.5 miles (4.02 km). The track has also hosted popular events like the Grand Prix racing, the Superbike World Championship, the Classic Motorcycle Festival, and MotoGP.

Besides these top UK circuits, you can also bet on other tracks that are quickly gaining traction globally. Such tracks include Monza, an F1 racetrack in Italy, which is popular for its high average speed of 163 miles per hour (262.32 km/h). It also features long straights and tight corners, which make it an ideal circuit for bettors looking to wager on drivers using the powerful slipstream and DRS effects.

Another global track for overtaking to bet on is Sakhir, located in Bahrain. It offers four long straights, with each having a heavy braking zone, which makes it ideal for overtaking. You can also wager on the Brazilian Interlagos track that features two long straights with heavy braking zones and elevation changes.

The Worst Tracks for Overtaking (and Why That Matters)

Now, let’s look at the worst circuits for overtaking.

Monaco

Monaco may be one of the most glamorous circuits in the Formula 1 series, but it’s worse when it comes to overtaking. Unless the weather drastically changes during the events or something goes wrong, you should bet on the pole sitters, as they are more likely to win.

One problem with the Monaco track that makes it difficult to overtake is its narrowness. Modern Formula 1 cars are typically larger, making overtaking particularly challenging on the narrow Monaco tracks.

Hungaroring

Like with Monaco, the Hungaroring track provides very few opportunities to overtake and has a long straight that goes downhill into a heavy braking zone. This is where most of the overtaking occurs, when drivers are under pressure. Apart from that, the other overtaking opportunities drivers have are turn one and turn two.

Singapore

Singapore is considered the most notoriously difficult for overtaking. This is because it features a never-ending corner-after-corner layout, as well as narrow tracts, that give drivers very few opportunities to overtake opponents.

How to Use Track Overtaking Data in Your Bets

There are many reputable online resources that you can use to find overtaking data and statistics in motorsports betting. UK websites and data archives that post motorsports betting tips and odds are great sources to start with. The top F1 betting sites usually post the number of times a driver has overtaken, as well as the times he/she has been overtaken.

So, when placing your bets, consider the number of times a driver has overtaken, their current form, and weather conditions. You should also consider the drivers' performance on different track layouts. This will help you make informed decisions when placing outright winner bets, podium finish bets, and even in-play bets.

Common Mistakes Bettors Make with Track Analysis

Succeeding in motorsports betting required an understanding of the basics of the sport, the drivers involved, and the betting strategies. Here are the common mistakes many beginners make.

Overvaluing overtaking history

Overtaking data and statistics are important when deciding on which team or driver to bet on, but you should never bet on a driver solely based on their overtaking history. Instead, use logic and consider other factors, such as whether the driver is skilled on the track in question. This is because certain drivers or teams perform better on specific tracks, with some being better suited for long, gruelling racetracks, while others are best for quick, high-speed events.

Ignoring tyre strategy and pit stops

In motorsports betting, races are won not only by the car's speed and the driver’s experience, but also by smart strategy. From pit stops to tyre choices, the way drivers and teams manage their race can influence the race’s final results. So, when placing your bets, don’t ignore the strategy the teams are using, as it can determine the outcome. For instance, drivers and teams decide when and how to pit based on race conditions, timing of safety car periods, and tyre wear. A poorly timed pit stop or tyre change can cost the team’s chance to win.

Similarly, whether you are betting on the entire season or a single race, a lack of an effective betting strategy often leads to impulsive decisions. This can happen, especially when you get caught up in the excitement of the race.

Underestimate safety cars

Some bettors also make the mistake of underestimating safety cars. These cars typically reset race conditions, can change the dynamics of a race, and even bring surprise wins.

For example, during the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 series in 2021, Lewis Hamilton was on track for a historic win. However, a late crash changed everything. The safety car bunched the field, and only one lap of racing remained. Freshly armed with new tyres, Max Verstappen overtook Hamilton and won the race. Bettors who had backed Verstappen to win got the payouts while the others lost.

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Responsible Gambling

Practising responsible gambling is of utmost importance when betting on motorsports. This involves maintaining control of your betting habits and ensuring that the betting experience remains enjoyable and entertaining rather than causing financial struggles. You can achieve this by setting a budget and a bet limit to help you control your spending. You should also take regular breaks, and do not chase losses. Many top UK motorsports betting sites also offer tools like time-outs, reality checks, and deposit limits that can help you stay in control of your gambling.