Motor Racing

Canadian Grand Prix Betting Preview And Race Predictions (2025)

3 months ago

| BY Sam Cox

Oscar Piastri increased his championship lead to 10 points with a fifth win of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix last time out. The Formula One season heads to Montreal this weekend for the storied Canadian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, winner of the last three races in Canada, is looking to bounce back after a McLaren one-two in Barcelona. The F1 betting markets indicate Verstappen is very much in the mix at one of the most gruelling circuits on the calendar.

Canadian Grand Prix Winner Odds

Oscar Piastri – 5/4
Lando Norris – 7/4
Max Verstappen – 9/2
Charles Leclerc – 16/1
George Russell – 20/1
Lewis Hamilton – 20/1
Kimi Antonelli – 50/1

Consistently providing entertaining racing, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has three big braking zones, fast corners, unforgiving walls, and plenty of overtaking opportunities.

Cars are tested thoroughly with their brakes pushed to the limit, while drivers are given little margin for error, particularly at the Wall of Champions.

Weather

Changeable weather has wreaked havoc on plenty of Canadian Grands Prix over the years. The current forecast is for pleasant weather throughout the weekend, with no rain expected and temperatures ranging from the high-teens to early-20s.

This could change quickly, though, so it’s worth keeping a close eye on the forecast when making any betting decisions for the Canadian Grand Prix.

Verstappen Needing to Respond

The Dutchman was enjoying a pleasant weekend in Catalunya before a late safety car left him in a mess. Left with hard tyres, Verstappen tumbled down the field and crashed into George Russell after being asked to let the Brit pass.

The outcome was a penalty – demoting Verstappen to 10th – which leaves the four-time world champion on the brink of a race ban.

With an excellent record in Canada, this race comes at an ideal time. He’s fallen 39 points behind Norris and 49 behind Piastri – a podium is the minimum requirement if Verstappen is to keep his championship hopes alive.

Chance for Mercedes

Canada, with lower track temperatures, has been a stronger track for Mercedes in recent years. Teams have taken turns at challenging the McLarens so far this season, and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve could be the turn of the Silver Arrows after Russell took pole at this race 12 months ago.

Kimi Antonelli already has a sprint pole to his name. Russell is one of five drivers with a podium this year and the only driver outside the top three to have more than two top-three finishes.

This is the most driver-friendly Mercedes since Russell joined the team. The Brit should have a much happier Sunday than he did at this race in 2024.

The 4/6 on Russell and Lewis Hamilton to finish in the top six is appealing given Hamilton’s superb record in Montreal and how the low-downforce nature of this circuit should favour the Scuderia.

Best Bets: Oscar Piastri to Win (5/4), George Russell Podium, Lewis Hamilton Top Six, & Alex Albon Points Finish (Your Odds – 11/2)

Verstappen’s wins in Imola and Suzuka are the only victories by a non-McLaren driver this year. Piastri still has the upper hand in the battle between the two Papaya drivers, so the 5/4 price on the Australian to win this race looks like the best bet.

The current weather forecast doesn’t suggest we will be in for any rain-induced chaos, so it should be business as usual for Piastri’s side of the garage.

The #YourOdds selection is a vote of confidence in the British drivers. Russell, aside from Mercedes’ nightmare Monaco weekend, has been extremely consistent this year. The Silver Arrows are set for a strong weekend, barring a surprise heatwave.

Hamilton loves racing in Montreal, and his performance in Barcelona might not have been as bad as first feared, as car issues might explain away his lack of pace.

The Williams has been comfortably best of the rest thus far. Alex Albon has 30 more points than his teammate, even after a retirement two weekends ago. Albon has picked up points in all but one of his race finishes this year.