Prediction: Max Verstappen to Win Sakhir Grand Prix (+150 Odds)

After another dominant Formula 1 season for Mercedes, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will have a gleaming opportunity to notch a rare win at Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix.

The field in Bahrain was blown open after it was confirmed champion Lewis Hamilton won’t feature having tested positive for the coronavirus, ending his streak of five straight race wins:

BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton will miss this weekend's Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain after a positive test for Covid-19 pic.twitter.com/c0XCfyDmWZ

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 1, 2020

Verstappen—who has one win under his belt this season—is used to playing second fiddle to the Briton, but he’s now been installed as +150 favorite to win with Borgata New Jersey. This will be the first Grand Prix Hamilton has missed in his career, and Verstappen—renowned for his (sometimes overly) competitive driving will revel in triumphing in his absence.

Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas is another contender for the top podium place, but Verstappen and Red Bull team-mate Alexander Albon should thrive with Williams’ George Russell taking Hamilton’s drive for this event.