Hero to zero for Hamilton?

Lewis Hamilton's ninth place finish at The European Grand Prix last weekend in Germany has not only seen his lead at the top of the drivers' championship narrowed to two points he has also lost favouritism in the betting with teammate Fernando Alonso now 5/4 with Sporting Odds. Hamilton failed to finish on the podium for the first time in his F1 career after crashing in practise at the Nurburgring and then spinning off at the first corner in the race saw his odds lengthen to 11/5 and while the McLaren Honda driver still leads the drivers' standings with 70 points, race winner Alonso is now on 68 points and breathing down the young Briton's neck. Spain's reigning world champion said after the race: "In the next seven races I'd not put money on any driver. Anyone can win because the races are a bit unpredictable." Alonso has played the mind games well this season, heaping praise on his teammate only to then complain that Hamilton is being favoured by his team boss Ron Dennis. Interestingly the Ferraris of Raikkonen and Massa are on an upward curve. They were quicker than the McLarens in Germany but the torrential rain helped the latter to come out on top. There could still be mileage in backing the prancing horse duo; Felipe Massa (5/1) - 11 points behind Hamilton - or Kimi Raikkonen (4/1) - 18 points behind - but with seven races to go any of the top four could win. What is for sure that the excitement has come back this season to F1 and when you're in the public eye as much as Hamilton, a few defeats and your early season success will soon be forgotten.