Formula 1 Showdown Attracts Sports Betting Customers

Brazil Grand Prix sees special bets offered in gambling market.

This Sunday's season-closing Formula One Grand Prix in Sao Paulo is creating major interest among sports betting fans, with Lewis Hamilton bidding to secure the world championship.

McLaren driver Hamilton must finish at least fifth in Brazil if Ferrari's Felipe Massa, his main rival for the title, wins the race.

The opening practice session at Interlagos today saw Massa gain the upper hand on his English opponent, with the Brazilian setting the fastest lap time at one minute 12.305 seconds.

A victory for Massa is likely to please some bookmakers, who have taken large wagers on Hamilton clinching the title after narrowly missing out last year.

William Hill spokesperson Rupert Adams admitted as much, saying: "We have huge liabilities on the boy wonder, so apart from Ferrari we are the only others who would be happy to see him fail."

The betting firm offers 6/4 on Hamilton and Massa finishing first and second in either order in Brazil, while Hamilton is 3/1 to record the fastest lap of the race.

In addition, punters can get odds of 33/1 on the McLaren driver being black flagged during the race and 6/1 on him picking up a stop-go penalty.