One of the biggest events on the Formula 1 2018 calendar will be starting this week in Montreal as the F1 Grand Prix gets underway. In what will mark 40 years since the event first took place on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the stars of F1 will be determined to take 1st place on the podium. With Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel dominating the top two places of F1 2018 driver standings, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and others just behind the stand-out duo will be striving for a good result.
Before we hit the track in Baku, let's reflect on a whirlwind weekend for Lance at his home Grand Prix in Canada. @Sure @GrandPrixF1Can #F1 pic.twitter.com/BHpGWNHOhU
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) June 22, 2017
Leading the way
Last year’s winner Hamilton will be clear favourite again after another excellent F1 season. The other drivers will have to considerably up their games, with Hamilton having led every lap of last year’s race. Max Verstappen was left to rue what could have been, after a promising start that looked like he could push Hamilton all the way. An energy store issue saw him retire form the race, which will no doubt be playing over in his head leading up to this year’s event.
Further to that, the recent heartbreak for Verstappen in Monte Carlo means that now would be the perfect time to get a much-needed win. Last week saw Verstappen smash into a barrier during Free Practise 3 rendering his car unable to be repaired in time for him to take to the grid for qualifying. These unfortunate incidents will no doubt have Verstappen all revved up and rearing to tear out of the grid to show the world of F1 that he is still a top driver.
The bookies favourites
Skybet has Lewis Hamilton firmly in pole position in the betting stakes at 11/8 favourite. Vettel is listed at 7/4, Botta 7/1, Ricciardo 8/1 and Verstappen is fifth favourite at 10/1. Hamilton’s form this year shows exactly why the bookies expect him to win again but with Verstappen’s recent streak of bad luck, many will be backing him to come roaring back up the F1 standings with a podium place at this year’s F1 Canada Grand Prix. He has taken quite a battering from the press and fans alike, so will definitely be out with a point to prove.
Historical racetrack
Source: formula1.com
The Montreal race is a firm favourite with F1 fans, with great history and also the emotional link to the tragic death of Gilles Villeneuve in 1982, which prompted the track to be renamed after the legendary Canadian driver.
Montreal has been the host of many great F1 moments and achievements, such as Schumacher’s record of winning there 7 times. Whether history will be made again this year remains to be seen but the anticipation is certainly heating up for the 2018 race.
