Paddy Power: Looking for a long shot?

The pace of the new Ferrari F2002 at Imola has moved the goalposts a bit and the bookies have reacted. Michael Schumacher to win in Spain, for example, is 4-7 and even a combined bet for Michael to take the pole and the 10 points will only net you evens

The champion doesn't seem to have had a mechanical failure since the year dot and so perhaps Ferrari fans might look at 5-1 for a Barrichello win. That seems to make a lot more sense than it would have done a fortnight ago.

Looking further, for the long shots, some time, some place, it's going to rain on Sunday afternoon. Remember Spain '96? At the moment, Giancarlo Fisichella and Heinz-Harald Frentzen are quoted at 150-1 and 400-1 respectively. Now, with one-fifth odds for an each way bet, there would be a handsome return if one finished on the podium. With Bridgestone having a wet weather advantage and only the Ferraris on the Japanese rubber among the big teams, it's not impossible if the whole race was wet.

A special forecast bet offering 11-2 on Michael Schumacher winning with Juan Montoya second is worth a look. Also, for Williams fans with faith in the Good Lord and Michelin, how about 33-1 for a Montoya/Schumacher Jr 1-2? You wouldn't have got those odds a month ago and Spain should be a lot hotter than Imola, where the Michelins were not at their best. Even so, a long shot.

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