Hamilton cut to 5/4 for F1 World crown

LEWIS HAMILTON has been cut to 5/4 favourite by Ladbrokes to regain the F1 World crown after a stunning drive in the wet to triumph at Spa.

The McLaren driver has leapfrogged both his Red Bull rivals with Mark Webber`s second place finish leaving him at 2/1 and young German Sebastian Vettel drifting from 2/1 to 4/1 third favourite for the title after a disastrous drive in Belgium. Current World Champion Jenson Button was taken out by Vettel midway through the race and bookies think that his title hopes went with that crash and is now a 25/1 long shot behind 10/1 Fernando Alonso who also failed to finish.

Despite Hamilton`s win Red Bull remain slim favourites in the Constructors championship at 8/13 ahead of McLaren at 11/8.

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "Lewis` first career win in Belgium proved the theory that pole position isn`t as vital at Spa than at many other circuits in the Formula 1 calendar. He now has a great chance of taking this momentum to Monza in a fortnight and establishing a solid lead in the World title race."

Ladbrokes: Formula 1

World Championship

• 5/4 L Hamilton
• 2/1 M Webber
• 4/1 S Vettel
• 10/1 F Alonso
• 25/1 J Button
• 200/1 F Massa

Constructors Championship

• 8/13 Red Bull
• 11/8 McLaren
• 12/1 Ferrari