Verstappen and Bottas get the popular vote at Ladbrokes!

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Lewis Hamilton is still the clear favourite to win the 2017 world championship according to Ladbrokes, but the bulk of the bets are going to two other men.

Hamilton currently leads the field with a massive 5/4 odd, but Max Verstappen is now second with 3/1, just edging out Red Bull team mate Daniel Ricciardo who is at 7/2, with Mercedes new boy Valtteri Bottas at 4/1.

While more bets have been placed on Hamilton than on any other driver, Verstappen and Bottas have garnered together 36 percent of all bets placed in the market!

The season gets underway in less than two weeks when teams hit the track in Barcelona for pre-season testing, upon which the odds could be reshuffled.

Anyone willing to bet on a dark - prancing - horse for 2017 might want to consider Sebastian Vettel at 14/1, or Fernando Alonso at 25/1.

Interestingly, despite his lower odds, the McLaren driver has taken more bets than Vettel, but also more than Ricciardo. A state of affairs which also speaks wonders for the Spaniard's reputation and popularity.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.