As the chequered flag fell on another Formula 1 grand prix around the streets of Monte Carlo, Sebastian Vettel confirmed to the world that he is this year’s favourite for the drivers’ championship. While there was joy and celebration at Ferrari – well at least on one side of the garage, Mercedes was left scratching its head to why it was so far off the Prancing Horse.
For the first time since the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, neither Mercedes driver stood on the podium as Valtteri Bottas lost out to Daniel Ricciardo through the pit stops while Lewis Hamilton endured another one of those weekends as he lost even more ground to Vettel in the race for this year’s championship.
The F1 circus heads to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a circuit which has traditionally suited both of Mercedes’ drivers, will the Silver Arrows be able to respond after a setback in Monaco or will the Scarlet red Ferrari piloted by a German at the peak of his powers take another leap towards the Italian manufacturers’ first drivers’ title since 2007?
Montreal’s Maestros
Along with the Hungaroring, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a circuit which Hamilton has excelled at throughout his F1 career. Taking his first F1 grand prix victory back in 2007, Hamilton has taken four victories since. The characteristics of the Montreal circuit go hand in hand with Hamilton’s widely known strengths as a racing driver. His ability to brake late and rotate the car at low-speed is one of the reasons he has had so much success in Canada.
Bottas may not boast the same record as team-mate Hamilton in Canada, but along with the Sochi Autodrom in Russia where he took his maiden F1 win back in late-April, the Finn has consistently shown outstanding speed at these two grands prix. During his rookie season back in 2013, where Williams was consistently fighting to get out in the first part of Q1, Bottas in changeable, intermediate conditions qualified third. A dry race meant he dropped like a stone, but his potential and love for the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was clear for all to see. Podiums in 2015 and 2016, in inferior machinery, shows if Mercedes is the team to beat this weekend then Bottas cannot be ruled out of taking all 25 points on Sunday afternoon.
Understanding Mercedes’ Diva
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has already labelled this year’s car as a ‘diva’. Throughout 2017, the Mercedes W08 has been consistently unpredictable and high-maintenance which has led to inconsistent results and strange patterns in performance.
After storming to the win in Barcelona, a fortnight later, Hamilton trailed home in seventh highlighting the difficulty of this year’s challenger. While Ferrari’s SF70H appears to be able to turn on any tyre, at any circuit, in any temperature, Mercedes is unable to do so. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve should suit the W08 better but with Ferrari’s ability to go quickly from the get off, Mercedes will have to ensure it has got on top of the issues seen a fortnight ago in Monaco.
Pressure on the home hero
Lance Stroll heads into his first home grand prix without a world championship points to his name and he has yet to outqualify veteran team-mate Felipe Massa. The 18-year-old has stated in the build-up to this weekend’s event that he is under ‘no pressure’ to score his first points. Williams currently sits sixth in the constructors’ championship, behind Force India and Toro Rosso, and with only one car capable of scoring points it appears Williams is on course for its worst season since 2013.
Montreal should mark Stroll’s best chance of scoring points since Russia. Since the introduction of the V6 hybrid engines, Williams has consistently performed strongly at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, missing out on fourth after Sergio Perez collided with Massa back in 2014 while Bottas finished on the podium in 2015 and 2016.
Prediction
Hamilton’s outstanding record around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve makes him our tip for this weekend’s victory. The three-time F1 champion has a tendency to bounce back after adversity so it will not be a surprise to see him on the top step of the podium for a sixth time in Canada.
In terms of value for money, Bottas is your man. At 13/2 with some betting companies, the Finn is a good bet to take his second career win this weekend.
