*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
A busy summer period of F1 continues this weekend at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as we return for the Canadian Grand Prix for the first time since 2019. The drivers line up on the grid ready for a 7pm start in Montreal, which is live on Sky Sports F1.
Much has changed at the top of the Drivers Championship standings since we were last in North America at in May, with Charles Leclerc leaving to Europe with a 19-point lead over Max Verstappen.
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As we return back over the Atlantic, Leclerc now finds himself with a 34-point deficit to the Dutchman and in need of a big weekend if he wants to keep his Championship hopes alive. What is worth noting is that Leclerc’s fall down the standings is through no fault of his own. Reliability issues in Barcelona and Baku book-ended a poor strategy call in Monaco to cost him when he was leading all three races.
To compound Leclerc’s problems, he is rumoured to be taking a 10-place grid penalty. This makes it hard to see Verstappen being beaten here unless the Monegasque driver can put in a heroic drive. Verstappen to win and winning margin 10+ seconds become appealing bets with Leclerc’s impending penalty.
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It would not be a surprise to see Leclerc battle back to at least a podium, especially if his teammate Carlos Sainz is occupying the third position in the race we could well see team orders and a position swap to favour Leclerc who is in the better position in the championship.
Sergio Perez is also in excellent form, finishing in the top three in five of the last six races. Doubling Leclerc with Perez to finish on the podium is very tempting.
*A double with these two bets pays approximately Evens at Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
After a tough start to the season Sebastian Vettel is starting to turn it around and comes into the race weekend after a strong 6th place in Baku. He has an excellent record around Canada finishing in the points in all of his 11 starts at the circuit.
Admittedly, he was in better machinery for most of those races, but he finished 10 out of those 11 in the Top 5. Given his recent resurgence it is worth considering Vettel to finish in the Top 6.
Lance Stroll – Vettel’s teammate at Aston Martin – won’t want to be trumped by the German at his home Grand Prix, and has a point to prove after a disappointing start to the season. In two out of his three appearances in Montreal he has finished in the top 10, and at a decent price is worth chancing to finish in the points.
With the Aston Martins making progress and getting on par, if not ahead, of the Haas’ and Alfa Romeos at the last couple of GP’s it is worth doubling both Stroll and Vettel to finish in the points at an appealing price.
*A double with these two bets pays approximately 7/1 at Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Lastly, reliability issues have been cropping up for multiple teams recently as they look to stretch their car parts to their limit in an attempt to keep under the regulated amount of parts they can use over the course of a long season.
Considering this, coupled with historic first lap incidents in Canada and the infamous “wall of champions” there could be a number of incidents causing some retirements in this race. For this reason backing under 16.5 classified drivers is another selection to consider.
F1 Canadian Grand Prix Tips
Verstappen to win & 10+ seconds winning margin
Perez to finish on the podium & Leclerc to finish on the podium
Vettel to finish in the top 6
Stroll to finish in the points & Vettel to finish in the points
Under 16.5 drivers to be classified
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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