Canadian Grand Prix 2019: A Race Finally in Ferrari’s Favour?

Canadian Grand Prix 2019: A Race Finally in Ferrari’s Favour?

Canadian Grand Prix 2019

Mercedes’ impressive streak of one-two finishes finally ended at the Monaco Grand Prix. But both Silver Arrows were still on the podium, including the top step as Lewis Hamilton picked up a hard-fought victory. That’s his second win in a row and fourth of the season.

Hamilton will now be eyeing a hat-trick of wins at the Canadian Grand Prix, a race he has dominated for most of his career.

However, the defending champion could have another tough challenge waiting for him, this time from a Ferrari team that appears to have the advantage over Mercedes in Montreal.

Talking Points

Ferrari apparently have the advantage

Ferrari scored their best finish of the season in Monaco as Sebastian Vettel ended up in second place behind Hamilton. Although, there was a touch of fortune in that finish as Verstappen — who was in second for most of the race — was docked a five-second penalty.

Still, it should be a nice confidence-builder for Vettel, who has had the most success in Canada out of any other driver on the grid besides Hamilton.

The four-time world champion owns four poles and two wins in Canada. That finished on pole and went on to win last year’s race, which ended Hamilton’s run of three consecutive wins at the track.

Vettel and Ferrari could very well build on that fine performance in Monaco with another one in Montreal. At least that’s what Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has hinted at.

According to Wolff, Montreal’s characteristics — with long straights and few corners — could prove to be more favourable to Mercedes’ rivals.

Despite all the hype surrounding Ferrari’s SF90 since pre-season testing, though, they have been unable to get the desired results out of that car due to other factors. A prime example of this was Ferrari’s embarrassing error which saw Charles Leclerc fail to get out of Q1 in Monaco.

But if Ferrari can successfully get out of their own way — which has to happen at some point — they should have the car capable of claiming that elusive first win of the season.

Mercedes drivers love Montreal

Mercedes haven’t faced too many challenges over the course of the season, but they were certainly made to work in Monaco.

Hamilton, who didn’t have the most incredible record at the Principality, had to fend off some stiff competition from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen — and he did so with worn-out tires, no less.

However, Hamilton heads to a track wherein he does have some outstanding history: Montreal. The Brit owns six wins at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve — tied for his most at any track in his career — and the Canadian Grand Prix 2019 betting odds see him adding to that number.

His team-mate, Valtteri Bottas, has yet to win at the track but does have a handful of podium finishes to his name. Since 2015, Bottas has not finished outside of the top three in Canada, which is an impressive streak.

And with the form he’s shown this season, Bottas could very well claim that elusive first win in Canada, which has favoured the polesitter. The Finn has finished on pole in three of the six races thus far this season and will be a decent bet to make some Canadian Grand Prix 2019 highlights.

History

If Hamilton wins this weekend, he would equal the great Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of seven Canadian GP victories. He’s also currently tied with Schumi in terms of career poles won in Canada with six.

Hamilton’s six wins at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve are tied for his most in a single track along with Hungaroring and the Shanghai International Circuit, where he already claimed another victory earlier this season.

The polesitter has won the last four Canadian Grands Prix. But since 2004, there have also been four instances of a driver starting outside the top five to win the race.

What are the odds?

The bookmakers appear to agree that the Ferraris have a fighting chance to beat the Mercedes in Canada. While Hamilton (2.30) and Bottas (3.50) are unsurprisingly the favourites to win in Montreal, Ferrari’s Vettel and Leclerc are not that far behind as the SBOBET odds currently have them priced at 4.75 and 5.50, respectively.

It seems highly unlikely that anyone outside of that top four can crash the party and claim the win in Canada. Max Verstappen has the next closest odds at 11.00.

But while Ferrari have the car capable of taking the chequered flag, it’s still going to be tough betting against Hamilton.

Obviously, he has a terrific history in Canada and clearly knows the track like the back of his hand. And as he showed in Monaco, his superior driving can make up for his team’s shortcomings in terms of strategy as well.

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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