The Formula One Canadian Grand Prix is back at Gilles Villeneuve track in Montreal hosting the best race car drivers in the world including two homegrown talents in Lance Stroll for Aston Martin and Nicolas Latifi of Williams racing. This can be the last time that Nicholas Latifi races in Montreal. He hasn’t had much success and during his F1 career, Latifi has accumulated seven points for a career best 17th.
Montreal always has some excitement that you won’t find in most places. North American culture with a European touch. All drivers’ cultures are more or less represented within the Montreal communities. Another Montreal native with a lot to prove on the circuit on June 19th, Lance Stroll hasn’t had the success that Aston Martin Team owner and father Lawrence Stroll and his partner Sebastian Vettel expected this far. One pole position for Stroll in his career along with eight points so far this season, shows that he can be a productive number 2. The issue is that Lance makes mental errors that cost him finishes. As a Montrealer myself, I am rooting for both these athletes.
The last time Canada hosted a Grand Prix was in 2019 with Lewis Hamilton winning for Mercedez. Controversy caused an all-time moment from Sebastian Vettel. Vettel, racing for Ferrari, took the checkered flag but was penalized five seconds making Hamilton the Canadian Grand Prix champion in 2019. Hamilton hasn’t had the success he’s used to so far this year, in sixth position behind both, the Ferrari and Red Bull duo along with his own teammate George Russell. Red Bull has been on a good streak lately and are the odds on favourite. Verstappen will be looking for his second podium and first win in Canada while Ferrari will try to play spoilers.
Daniel Ricciardo’s relationship with Mclaren has been on the rocks as of late in the media even though Team Principal Andreas Seidl has tried to discredit the claims that Mclaren will be moving on from the Aussie at the end of the 2022 season. Ricciardo is fan favourite but he is trailing behind the young speedster and teammate of Ricciardo’s, Lando Norris. This is Lando’s team and that’s been made very clear by CEO of Mclaren Racing Zak Brown.
When looking for the winner of this year’s Canadian Grand Prix look no further than Red Bull Racing lead by Max Verstappen and followed by Sergio Perez. Perez has been able to take advantage of Ferrari’s engine troubles and is currently standing at second place in the Driver’s behind only his teammate.
Verstappen is the heavy favourite with the usual following suite.
Verstappen -152
Perez +295
Leclerc +460
Sainz +1400
Russell +2700