Formula 1 comes back to Canada this weekend for the first Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve since the controversial 2019 race, in which Sebastian Vettel crossed the line first only for Lewis Hamilton to be awarded the win after a time penalty was handed to the then Ferrari driver. The on-form Vettel looks to be very comfortable at the track again in 2022, but Hamilton continues to be plagued by Mercedes’ bouncing problems and a lack of outright top speed. Ferrari fans would dearly love a win in memory of Gilles himself, but their best hopeful Charles Leclerc has been hit with a 10-place grid penalty for using too many engine components at this early stage of the season.

The track itself on Montreal’s Ile Notre Dame is surrounded by water, and is somewhat reminiscent of a street circuit like Albert Park, Melbourne, with nearby walls lining much of the 4.41km, and the occasional groundhog nipping onto the track to cause chaos! The left-right switchback of turns one and two makes for passing opportunities, and we’ll see drivers cutting across the grass and bailing out, giving the stewards decisions to make about any advantage gained. As the drivers head down under the trees, grip can be unpredictable, especially if the weather is cool and windy. After a series of sweeping chicanes, the drivers will head down to another overtaking spot in the braking zone leading to the 180-degree turn 10 hairpin. It’s vital to get a good exit off that slow corner though, with a huge flat-out finish to the circuit, only briefly interrupted by one last lightning quick chicane bordered by the legendary “Wall of Champions” on the exit of the final turn, before the blast back to the start/finish line. Much like in Baku, teams will have to master a low downforce set-up to maximise straight-line speed, whilst still giving their drivers a chance to feel planted through the medium speed chicanes of the middle sector.

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Canadian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen to Win

Max Verstappen starts on pole, and with his main competitors all struggling badly in one way or another this weekend, he’s the overwhelming favourite to stand on the top step of the podium come Sunday evening. He’s been quick all season, has shown excellent racecraft time and time again, but even with his talents, it’s not often that the man in P2 (Fernando Alonso) has to joke about attacking the leader into Turn 1. Such is the difference between the two cars on the front row, even Alonso himself sees a challenge as barely realistic. If the opening lap goes well for Verstappen, he could be home and dry.

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Oh how we missed you, Montreal 🇨🇦

Always an amazing crowd! 😍#CanadianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/28TsLZSaUb

— Formula 1 (@F1) June 19, 2022

George Russell to Finish inside the Top Five

Russell starts a little further back than usual today, but he’s been left out of position by a brave tyre gamble in qualifying. Continuing his excellent run of top five finishes could still be a very real possibility, and he will certainly be looking to extend the series of solid results. He’s barely put a foot wrong in the car all season, picked up some extra tyre data with Saturday’s gamble, and should be able to clear at least the two Haas cars easily enough on Sunday. The race should be in better weather conditions than qualifying was, but even if it gets changeable out there, Russell would be a top pick for navigating the danger safely and taking the right level of risks to succeed. Top six should be achievable in any case for him today.

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Charles Leclerc Podium Finish

With fresh parts in the Ferrari engine of Charles Leclerc, and a lowly starting grid slot after penalties, he’ll be in full-on damage limitation mode in Sunday’s race. He’s been one of the season’s best performers, and once he gets into the groove of carving through the field, he could become a major force in the race. Canada is often kind to drivers who work their way through from the back (think Jenson Button winning after being last halfway through the race in 2011), so tipping Leclerc as an outside bet for a podium finish could potentially be more sensible than it looks! Leclerc needs the points to keep in touch at the top of the Championship standings, but he’s freed by a lack of pressure or expectation in Canada, too. That could be just the recipe to propel the Monegasque man onto the podium, and theoretically his engine should be safe to get him to the finish line this time as well!

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How to watch The Canadian Grand Prix

📅   When is The Canadian Grand Prix? / Sunday, 12th June 2022 from 12pm
🏟   Where is The Canadian Grand Prix? / Circuit Gilles-Villenueve (Montreal)
📺   What TV channel is The Canadian Grand Prix on? / Sky Sports F1