There’s still plenty to watch in Formula One

Yes, Lewis Hamilton has just won his third driver’s championship with four races to go. Meanwhile, his team, Mercedes, are too far out in front of the nearest rivals, Ferrari, to be caught in the constructor’s championship.

But there is still plenty to keep an eye on in what remains of the current Formula One season.

Who will come second in the Championships?

In an interview with Sky Sports, Williams co-founder, Sir Patrick Head said that Nico Rosberg faces ‘a long winter’ as the Mercedes driver tries recover from the defeat he has suffered at the hands of this teammate this year.

Whereas Rosberg took Hamilton right to the wire in 2014, he is far off the mark this year, trailing - at the time of writing, just before the Mexico Grand Prix – by 76 points. Head went on to say that Rosberg will know that he ‘needs to change’ in some way.

Yet Rosberg is undoubtedly a fighter and the battle for second place is a battle of pride between 2014 runner-up Rosberg and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel. And with just four points separating Rosberg (251) and Vettel (247), there is still all to play for as we approach the Mexican GP.

On 32Red Canada, Hamilton is at odds of 1/2 win in Mexico. However, Rosberg is placed at 2/1 above Vettel at 8/1. It would take some bravery to bet against the four-time champion, especially with the race for second spot being such a close run thing.

Will Marussia Racing get a point?

Roberto Merhi, Manor MR03

Given the form of this team of perennial underdogs, this would seem unlikely. Will Stevens, Alexander Rossi and Roberto Merhi have all failed to win a single point in the entire 2015 season. The odds on 32Red Canada are against either Rossi or Stevens to even finish the race in Mexico.

It seems the best either driver can hope for is a start. Their best result in this year was Mehri’s 12^th place finish in Silverstone earlier this year. Indeed, both Marussia drivers are facing odds of 5/2 against completing the race. Both drivers face odds of 5000/1 to be placed on the podium in Mexico.

The podium finish competition gives a much better chance for a rank outsider to defy expectations. However, with only 10 different drivers having achieved a podium finish in the 16 races so far this season, the margin for error is still slim, with only four of the 10 considered genuine underdogs.

Can McLaren get a podium finish?

Jenson Button leads Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Honda MP4-30)

In an article in February 2015, the BBC rightly described the McLaren driver line-up as ‘the most experienced and intriguing driver line-up’ in 2015. Yet former world champions Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso have failed to make a single podium finish in the entire season. With just 16 (Button) and 11 (Alonso) points, this has been another dire year for the once mighty titans of Formula One.

The new Honda engine was billed by McLaren as hailing a new era for the team when the deal was announced earlier this year. Yet so far the new partnership has failed to revive McLaren’s fortunes. Following displays highlighting the engine’s lack of reliability and apparent lack of power, a podium finish looks unlikely for either former world champion.

In fact, engine problems robbed Alonso of a ‘miracle’ Formula One result for McLaren during the United States Grand Prix, when he looked on course to win towards the end of the race. Yet because of engine issues, Alonso and Button are both at 500/1 with the likes of Boylesport and Sportingbet to win the race. In terms of the odds on pole position, both drivers are equally long outsiders.

So, the main prizes might be done and dusted for the season but that does not mean that there is any reason to lose interest in the campaign. Indeed, there is plenty to watch and all good point to important markers for the next campaign.

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