Formula 1 returns to the Middle East this weekend for the 16th race of the 2023 season. Max Verstappen can potentially clinch this season’s Drivers’ Championship title with a lowly three-point finish on Sunday. However, the recent mix-up on the grid penned a multitude of exciting narratives for motorsport fans and bettors. This brings a few more possibilities to the open, which includes opportunities for the midfield and beyond. As the grid prepares for the first of three races this month, Nitrobetting updates you with the hottest sleeper picks below.

Top Sleeper Picks for the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix

Afternoon, gents #F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/JhsqnAAaai

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 5, 2023

Esteban Ocon

• 2023 Qatar Grand Prix Odds: +10,000

Esteban Ocon left Japan with two points to his name. However, it came at the cost of teammate Pierre Gasly giving up his place in the final lap to let Ocon through for P9. Alpine ordered the move to see if Gasly could close the gap on Fernando Alonso, who was ahead of the pair on the road. However, the former AlphaTauri driver failed to gain on the Aston Martin driver, which led to the late switch.

Ocon and Gasly are next to each other in the 2023 Driver Standings. However, the senior Alpine driver still trails the first-year Alpine driver by eight points. Gasly performed well in recent weeks. But, we’ve seen Ocon deliver more consistent drives this season. Despite suffering six DNFs in 16 race starts, the Frenchman logs solid figures. He reached Q3 seven times and holds a season-best start of P3. The 27-year-old is the first Alpine driver to appear on the podium this year. Esteban scored a P3 victory in Monaco during the first half of the season, while Gasly scored the constructors’ second podium finish at the CM.com Circuit Zandvoort last August.

Liam Lawson

• 2023 Qatar Grand Prix Odds: +10,000

Lawson appears in our sleeper picks list once again thanks to his string of stellar performances. The reserve driver already has four starts as AlphaTauri’s stand-in driver for Daniel Ricciardo. His P9 finish at Singapore was succeeded by a close points finish in Japan at P11. The other two performances highlighted his pace despite a lack of seat time in the AT04. If he can score a better finish this weekend, he has a shot at overtaking teammate Yuki Tsunoda on the board–with the Japanese driver only a point ahead of the New Zealander.

Qatar will be Lawson’s fifth race for AlphaTauri, during which time he has impressed Formula 1 with his performances. It should attract more suitors as Lawson waits for a spot in the sport next year. He has a chance to show his skill set and earn more than just a reserve driver role for a constructor. Furthermore, the fast, high-speed nature of Qatar’s circuit could work to his advantage.

Alex Albon

• >2023 Qatar Grand Prix Odds: +10,000

Former Red Bull driver Alex Albon looks forward to his first race in Qatar this week. It’s a circuit he has yet to log seat time around in, so we eagerly anticipate the lap times he can put down. This is an opportunity for good racing from the man who showcased incredible defensive talent over the last few weeks. The circuit layout remains mostly unchanged save for a resurfacing earlier this year. That alone is enough to change track characteristics significantly.

The last few races have been incredible for Albon save for his DNF at Japan in September. Albon scored points in three of his last six races, matching his best finish in the process for a pair of P7s. Williams’ topman has been single-handedly carrying the constructor to P7–nine points clear of Haas.

Where to Bet on F1 with Crypto

Formula 1 features a continuously growing betting market for veteran and novice punters. Motorsport lovers will get a kick out of our F1 odds selection, which features Drivers and Constructors’ Championship futures and outright winners of each Grand Prix.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more Formula 1 previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest sports betting odds at our crypto sportsbook.

READ MORE: 2023 Qatar Grand Prix F1 Odds, Preview, and Prediction