2023 Austrian Grand Prix Preview & Picks - Verstappen To Complete Austrian GP Treble
29 Jun 2023
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2023 Canadian Grand Prix Preview & Picks - Verstappen To Do Canadian Double
- The Canadian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, June 18
- Race starts at 14:00 ET at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal
- Preview, predictions, stats & form
2023 Canadian GP Preview & Picks
The Canadian Grand Prix is always full of surprises and this weekend is already forecast to be another unpredictable race from the usual culprit in Montreal… the weather.
Last year’s race was shaken up by a wet qualifying which muddled up the field giving opportunity to a couple of unsuspected teams like Alpine and Haas to start at the front of the grid. The sunshine on Sunday depleted any advantage though with all the usual characters fighting for victory.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz had a dream race with everything going his way, but he still couldn't combat the speed of the Red Bull and Max Verstappen, who won from pole position, the Spaniard coming in second and Lewis Hamilton taking a familiar place on the podium, albeit an unfamiliar third step.
With rain expected on Saturday and Sunday at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve there is a high possibility that a spanner may end up the works once again, but with that being said you still cannot look past Max Verstappen for a second pole and race win.
The Canadian Grand Prix circuit is known for its high-speed straights, tight chicanes, and the famous "Wall of Champions" at the final chicane, which has claimed many victims over the years. The track also features several heavy braking zones, providing ample overtaking opportunities, which all suit the reigning champion and his RB19.
Ferrari were poor last race in Spain, although given their statement about their upgrades being better suited to low-speed corners, not the high-speed ones of Catalunya, we can expect them to bounce back this weekend in Montreal.
Mercedes impressed in Barcelona with a two-three finish behind Verstappen, however it will be interesting to see how the AMG F1 W14 E performs on a slower circuit.
Previously the Canadian Grand Prix has been a happy one for Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton, with the seven-time World Champion winning seven times on the semi-permanent track circuit.
Canadian GP Qualifying Best Bet
Max Verstappen should once again be a shoo-in for pole no matter what the conditions, considering he posted the fastest lap in the rain last year. The only value you can get on Verstappen at any race meet is converting pole position into a race win, which is a bet you can lay with confidence.
If I was looking for an outsider in qualifying I wouldn't look past Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari at 7.00 odds. Sebastian Vettel took pole for the Italian manufacturer in the two previous races in Montreal, before 2022, in 2019 and 2018.
The Monacian has shown that he has qualifying pace when the track works for the Ferrari and could pinch pole from the Red Bull, if anyone can.
Canadian GP Best Bet
The 1.1km Casino Straight at The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is too much of an advantage for the RB19 and a one-two finish for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez is imminent.
Given that the Mexican has had a couple of poor finishes recently there is some value to be had at 1.72 that both Red Bulls will finish on the podium.
The last podium spot will be fought out between Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes, as it has been all season. I am backing Lewis Hamilton to find his way into the champagne celebration, purely banked on his impeccable record in Canada.
Canadian GP Both Cars Point Finish Best Bet
Not enough has been said about the performance of the BWT Alpine F1 Team since Miami, with both cars having finished in the top 10 the last 3 races, highlighted spectacularly by a podium to Ocon in Monaco.
The reliability of the A523 has improved vastly in 2023 and we can expect that the Renault E-Tech RE23 engine will bring both cars home in the points again in Montreal.
Verdict
We cannot expect anything else than a Red Bull one-two in the Canadian Grand Prix with Max Verstappen taking pole and the victory.
With the uncertain weather forecasted for Saturday a lazy unit on Charles Leclerc is not a bad idea, as he could also be the only one to challenge the Dutchman in the dry.
Another Lewis Hamilton podium at The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is expected, as well as both the Alpines finishing in the points.
Max Verstappen
Pole Position & Race Winner
@-166.67 - 3 Units
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Yes
Both Alpine Cars Finish
@-125.00 - 2 Units
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Lewis Hamilton
Podium Finish
@110.00 - 1 Unit
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