Formula 1: RB20 revealed, Red Bull still heavy favourites heading into Bahrain Grand Prix

The 2023 Formula 1 season was dominated by Oracle Red Bull Racing and the RB19. The other teams and their fans are praying for the RB20 to be much less dominant. Red Bull revealed the car on Thursday. And based on the odds for the upcoming season, this year is not looking great for the competition.

Oracle Red Bull Racing’s RB20 revealed, heavy favourites in 2024

Oracle Red Bull Racing showed off the RB20 for the first time on Thursday. They posted a picture on X/Twitter and hosted a live car launch event that was streamed on Youtube. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen spoke about the new car at the event. “For me right now it is more about looking forward to Bahrain. Get testing, get comfortable with the car, understand what it needs and just work from there. It is such a long season that we just try to hit the ground running as good as we can. We will see where we end up,” Verstappen said.

Launching the RB20 👊 Our challenger for 2024 💪 pic.twitter.com/JVFWRq4qKs

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 15, 2024

Despite Verstappen’s modest — considering the RB19 was one of the most dominant cars in F1 history — words, Red Bull are heavily favoured to win the Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull currently has -400 odds to win the title on BetVictor. None of the other teams are close. McLaren, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri have the second best odds at +600. McLaren revealed the MCL38, their new car, on February 14. McLaren finished fourth last season with 302 points.

Other teams not close at the moment

Sergio Perez’s comments about the RB20 might help explain why Red Bull are such heavy favourites. “I see that the whole team has put together an incredible concept. And I think now we just want to hit the track properly. But I believe we have made some good steps in the right direction, so it should be another great season for the team,” Perez said. Mercedes and Ferrari are right behind the McLaren team. Mercedes currently has the third best odds to win the Constructors’ Championship. Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, and George Russell have +700 odds. Ferrari has the fourth best odds. Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz have +850 odds to win the title. 

After that, there is a huge gap between fourth and fifth. Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso, and Lance Stroll have the fifth best odds, but the Aston Martin team is currently sitting at +5000. F1 betting sites also have Verstappen as a huge betting favourite to win the Drivers’ Championship. Verstappen has -400 odds to win the title. Norris and Hamilton are tied for second at +900 each. Leclerc, the man Hamilton will be driving with at Ferrari next year if everything goes according to plan, at +2000 has the next best odds. Piastri, Russell, and Perez are right behind Leclerc with +2500 odds to win the Drivers’ Championship.

Our 2024 grid is set and READY! 🔥

Which new car is your favourite? ✨#F1 pic.twitter.com/AxkK9p8SGF

— Formula 1 (@F1) February 15, 2024

Betting details for Bahrain Grand Prix

The Bahrain Grand Prix is the first race of the season. The Bahrain GP will happen on March 2. Qualifying will take place on March 1. The Red Bull drivers are heavily favoured to win the opening race. Verstappen has the best odds. Verstappen currently has -250 odds to win the Bahrain GP. He won this race last year. Perez has the second best odds. Perez is sitting at +900 at the moment.

At +1400, Norris has the third best odds to win the Bahrain GP and the best odds of any driver outside of Red Bull.  Hamilton and Leclerc, tied, are right behind him. Hamilton and Leclerc have +1600 odds each. Canadian Lance Stroll is tied for 10th with Alexander Albon, Esteban Ocon, and Pierre Gasly at +20000.