Canadian Grand Prix betting tips: Predictions and expert advice for F1 weekend

After a stuttering start to the Formula 1 season the races become more regular for a while starting with this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli arrives in Montreal on a wave of confidence after three straight victories and with a 20-point cushion at the top of the drivers standings.

His Mercedes team are bringing their first major upgrade package of the season to the Canadian Grand Prix, and that could be ominous for the competition.

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Canada Grand Prix Tips

• George Russell to win @ 2/1
• Oscar Piastri podium finish @ 13/10
• Under 19.5 finishers @ 8/11

Russell aiming to issue a reminder

Antonelli has been deservedly hitting the headlines in recent weeks, but before the start of the season all the talk was about Mercedes’ senior driver, George Russell.

The campaign started perfectly for the Englishman, with pole position and victory in Australia, but he has had to play second fiddle in recent races.

Russell was hampered by a technical issue in qualifying in China as well as during the race in Japan, while Miami has never been his favourite circuit.

There should be no excuses in Canada, though, where Russell completely dominated last year, taking pole position, winning the race and setting the fastest lap.

He had also started from pole the previous year, and the below-average temperatures of Montreal have historically suited Mercedes cars.

Some observers may have written off Russell, and he is not favourite for Sunday’s race, but the 28-year-old could easily bounce back to form with a smooth weekend at a track he enjoys.

Piastri can keep up podium run

McLaren’s bid for a third consecutive constructors’ championship began disastrously with only one car finishing in the first two races.

World champion Lando Norris failed to even make the start in China, while Oscar Piastri didn’t make it to the grid in either of the first two grands prix.

McLaren have shown themselves to be masters of development, though, and Piastri was a little unlucky not to win the Japanese Grand Prix.

Norris pushed hard for the victory in Miami, finishing second, while Piastri followed him home in third.

There’s every chance McLaren will be right in the hunt again this weekend, and at the prices, Piastri looks a bet to make the podium.

The Australian has finished in the top three in three of the four races he has actually started this season, when sprints are included, and he should be capable of extending that sequence.

Montreal sets a stern test 

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has long had a reputation as a car-breaker, as it puts heavy demands on engines and brakes.

Concrete walls line the temporary circuit in many places, including the infamous “Wall of Champions” on the exit of the final corner, where even some illustrious names have been punished harshly for a lapse in concentration.

With radically different technical regulations this season, the teams have found it harder than usual to get their cars to the finish of races – or even the start on a number of occasions – and there looks a good chance at least three of the 22-strong field will fail to make the chequered flag on Sunday.

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