Webber races into F1 picture

Mark Webber is as short as 6-1 (Ladbrokes) to win the drivers’ championship after gaining his maiden Formula One victory when leading team-mate Sebastian Vettel home in a one-two for Red Bull in the German Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hills offer 15-2 (from 33-1) about the Australian capturing the title, with Blue Square and Bet365 now top-priced at 9-1.

Jenson Button is 4-9, from 30-100, with Ladbrokes after finishing fifth.

Nick Weinberg, Ladbrokes’s spokesman, said: “Slowly but surely Button’s lead is being eaten away. The Brawn supremacy has been halted and the Red Bulls are closing in. The betting now resembles a genuine battle rather than a procession.”

Brawn GP are 4-6 with both Ladbrokes and Hills to win the constructors’ title, whilst Red Bull are 11-10.

Rupert Adams, for Hills, said: “Anyone but Button is our Formula One motto, so we could not be happier that Red Bull are starting to look the cars to beat.”

Button is 8-13 with Hills to be named Sports Personality of the Year 2009, and 5-1 to fail to win another grand prix this year.