Canadian Grand Prix preview: Nothing can stop Verstappen

Following another dominant Max Verstappen performance in Barcelona, the drivers make the trip across the pond for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. 

Mercedes saw improvements last week, but Red Bull and Verstappen still look unbeatable at the moment. We preview the action below.

Hamilton to stay among the frontrunners

Lewis Hamilton’s performance was the pick of the bunch in Barcelona last week as the seven-time world champion managed just his second podium of the season with a second-place finish behind Max Verstappen.

Hamilton piloted a much-improved Mercedes car and the upgrades proved effective as George Russell finished behind Hamilton in third place for the first Mercedes double podium of the season.

All the talk off track is about Hamilton’s Mercedes contract but the most decorated driver on the grid won’t let that distract him as he eyes up what could be one of his most memorable wins at 12/1. Mercedes will be wanting to stamp their authority as Red Bull’s main challengers and a podium finish from Hamilton at 11/10 could provide crucial points for the team in the Constructors’ Championship.

Max Verstappen remains not only dominant, but seemingly unstoppable this season. The Dutchman extended his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship to 53 points with a more than convincing victory in Barcelona, opening up a 24 second gap over second place upon crossing the line.

It is no surprise to see Verstappen as the clear favourite heading into the Canadian Grand Prix at 1/3 to win the race. It appears to be a matter of name the distance between Verstappen and the rest of the field, with a price of 8/11 about him achieving over 16.5 wins this season providing the only real value.

Fernando Alonso had what can now be considered a bit of a hiccup as he finished seventh in Barcelona, a result that he would have been more than happy with last season. Alonso has set the bar much higher this season as he sits third in the Drivers’ Championship, and with Lewis Hamilton showing signs of improvement, Alonso will want to get back on the podium. The Spaniard is 10/11 to finish in the top three in Canada.

Ocon the best of the rest

Esteban Ocon sits ninth in the Drivers’ Championship, the highest of drivers outside the top four teams (Red Bull, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ferrari). Ocon will still be on a high following his podium finish in Monaco, and an eighth-place finish in Barcelona provided more points for Alpine. The French Driver is an outside chance for a podium finish at 25/1, but picking up a few more points will certainly be on the agenda at 1/3.

Canadian Lance Stroll will be hoping to put in a memorable performance on his home circuit, following on from a respectable sixth-place finish in Barcelona last time out.

Stroll has played second fiddle to Fernando Alonso for Aston Martin this year, but he has still picked up 35 points to leave himself eighth in the Drivers’ Championship. Standing on the podium on his home circuit would be a dream come true for Stroll at 14/1, but breaking into the top six would certainly still be some achievement for the young driver and at 6/4 it is certainly not out of the question.

Check out all the latest Formula 1 betting odds at William Hill