Hamilton races to odds-on favouritism

Lewis Hamilton is now generally odds-on — VC Bet offer a stand-out 11-10 — to win the Formula 1 drivers’ championship after claiming the season-opening Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

The McLaren driver is as short as 8-11 with William Hill, who make him just 20-1 to be on the podium after every race this season — and 500-1 to win every race. He is 2-1 from 7-2 with Hills to become BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year.

Graham Sharpe, William Hill spokesman, said: “Once again Hamilton-mania is sweeping the land and he is already a nightmare result for us in the world title and the BBC Sports Personality.”

In a frenetic race that saw only seven cars eventually cross the line after 58 laps of racing, Hamilton kept his cool to triumph by 5.4secs from BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld - with Nico Rosberg securing a maiden podium by finishing third in his Williams.

F1 TITLE ODDS: William Hill bet: 8-11 Hamilton; 13-8 Raikonnen; 8-1 Massa; 10-1 Kovalainen; 16-1 Heidfeld; 25-1 Alonso; Kubica.