That still leaves the party with the problem of handling public finances remotely responsible while the backbenchers think their job isn't so much balancing the books as handing out sweeties so they can feel good about themselves.

That's evil.

*makes notes*

I recently finished Peter Frankopan's The First Crusade: The Call from the East. Really good book, around 200 pages covering how and why the Eastern Roman Empire wanted it, and what went wrong. 5*. #Byzantium #RomanEmpire

Blimey. That was quite the #BrazilGP.

Excellent by Verstappen. Bearman very good too. Norris closing in on the title, but Las Vegas could still trip him up. Mercedes were quick there last year.

I've had small early bets on Russell and Antonelli (ew 7.5 and 12 respectively) #LasVegasGP.

I also split a single stake four ways on some value smaller bets.
Ant to beat Pia at 2.65
Hulk/Gasly to score at 2.45 and 2.55 respectively
and Bearman top 6 at 3.4.

Hedged Antonelli to win at evens, two and a half times the stake.

2/2

I feel a tiny bit aggrieved that a Mercedes got top 2 but it wasn't the one I backed, who had an 85% winning record in qualifying... anyway, some (many) #BrazilGP bets:

Main one is on Antonelli to win each way at 8.5. Was good in sprint and quali.

morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/11/braz... 1/2

#F1 Backed Russell, boosted at 12 for qualifying each way at the #BrazilianGP.

His SQ3 run was iffy but he'd outpaced Antonelli in both SQ1 and SQ2. Odds are a shade too long.

morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/11/braz...

Yeah, scheduling can be tricky with timezone differences (especially as my players are split between the UK and US).

Interlagos is my favourite #F1 circuit. Can be great in the wet or dry. But I still loathe this sprint nonsense.

Early thoughts are that this will be a weekend for Verstappen to do well, but could be a repeat of 2024 with rookies crashing out if it's very wet.

That is a perk of playing online. The downside is the lack of snacks players might bring as tribute to the DM just before a boss fight resumes.

#F1 huge title divergence between Ladbrokes and Betfair. Both agree Norris is the 1.8 favourite. But Ladbrokes has Verstappen 3 and Piastri 4.5, whereas Betfair has Piastri 3.55, Verstappen 5.9. Can back Piastri Lad and Lay him Betfair for small but guaranteed profit. 2/2

Well, I got almost everything about the #MexicanGP wrong but it did work out nicely for the title. Entertaining race and very solid day for Bearman too. #F1 1/2

#F1 decided to back Russell at 3.25 (Betfair) for a podium at the #MexicanGP. Good form, Verstappen was struggling a bit, pit stop priority unlike one Ferrari ahead of him, and scope for overtaking on long run to the first corner.

morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/10/mexi...

Piastri already looking iffy for the #MexicanGP. No bet ahead of qualifying, would've been tempted by Leclerc for pole if it had been each way. Antonelli also looks good. Verstappen the man to beat.

morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/10/mexi...

After much prevarication, I went for Piastri to not be classified at 9.5. He's been looking shaky lately, starts a little further down than usual, the first corner can be tricky, and there's plenty of gravel traps/walls to punish mistakes and misfortune.
morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/10/amer...

With Verstappen so far off the title lead, Red Bull throwing ever more updates in this year does suggest the rumours of their 2026 car/engine being behind the rest might be true.

For what it's worth, I'll be keeping an eye out for the market when it comes up. #F1

Found the #SingaporeGP tough than Qual for #F1 betting... anyway, Piastri to win each way, boosted to 7, and Bortoleto to win group 3 (versus Williams, Ocon, and Stroll) at 3.6.
morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/10/sing...

Decided to split one stake evenly between Russell at 12 and Antonelli at 14 for pole (each way, boosted, Ladbrokes) in #SingaporeGP qualifying. Looked close between the top five in final practice.

I may have to steal this...

I think Verstappen's driving very well, but a title tilt requires Piastri to either crack under pressure or suffer engine failures. Otherwise the points difference is almost certainly too much. And Norris remains very much in the equation, of course.

F1 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Review Podcast Episode · Undercutters - F1 Podcast · 09/23/2025 · 14m

And more links:

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/68qq...

Amazon: music.amazon.com/podcasts/bcf...

Transcript: morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/09/f1-2...

2/2

#AzerbaijanGP had crazy qualifying and a more sedate race, but still remarkable midfield results. Last #F1 podcast, been struggling for a while with finding the time and illness (not serious, just makes things more difficult).

Podbean: undercutters.podbean.com/e/f1-2025-az...

1/2

Also, at the time of writing, you can back Antonelli for a boosted podium on Ladbrokes at 14 and lay him at 10 on Betfair.

2/2

Crazy grid at the #F1 #AzerbaijanGP means there's a lot of interesting medium and long shot bets. In the end, I backed Albon for points at 5.2 on Betfair. Car and driver should have great pace in the race.

morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/09/azer... 1/2

Don't often bet/tip on qualifying but Hamilton's been looking surprisingly good and gusts of wind could unsettle or help out cars. Plus it's a track where errors are easy to make. Anyway, backed him at 12 each way for pole, Ladbrokes boosted. morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/09/azer... #F1 #AzerbaijanGP

More links for those who follow #f1 podcasts elsewhere:

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/283o...

Amazon: music.amazon.com/podcasts/bcf...

Transcript: morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/09/f1-2...

2/2

Ep36 of the #F1 Undercutters podcast, in which I look ahead to the #AzerbaijanGP and elaborate on why I was utterly unsurprised by the McLaren strategy call (contrary, it seems, to most reactions):

Podbean: undercutters.podbean.com/e/f1-2025-az...
1/2

Rarely make early #F1 bets, but I've backed Leclerc (8.5, boosted each way Ladbrokes) to win in Baku. He's a specialist at the #AzerbaijanGP circuit, and this could be one place he could get pole and stand a good shot at being top 2.

Quick note: I was way less surprised by the #McLaren action than, seemingly, most people so I don't spend much time discussing it. Given the reaction of others, I might go into why this was entirely what I expected next time. Not saying it was right, just predictable.

3/3

F1 2025 Italian Grand Prix Review Podcast Episode · Undercutters - F1 Podcast · 09/09/2025 · 10m

More links:

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/31td...

Amazon: music.amazon.com/podcasts/bcf...

Transcript: morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/09/f1-2...

2/3