The next round of Formula 1 action comes from France on Sunday 23rd June and Couch Critic takes a look at the odds and provides his best bets.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LAST RACE?
In terms of the result it was rinse and repeat for Lewis Hamilton but in Montreal the script looked a whole lot different for the Mercs. On a weekend where the Ferrari’s clearly had much improved pace Sebastian Vettel out-qualified Hamilton with relative ease and seemed to have the race relatively well in hand until just after the pit stops. Lewis came out a handful of seconds behind the German but was able to cut the lead right down and under immense pressure form the ever-stalking Silver Arrow Vettel faltered by sliding off the track. He did well to regather his car and somehow stay ahead of the charging Mercedes of the championship leader. It was in this manoeuvring that the Stewards had an issue and slapped Seb with a harsh 5 second penalty which eventually saw him relegated to second place.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN FRANCE
The circus moves on to the Le Castellet, France, and the question is whether Lewis will remain the main lion who attracts the crowd or can one of the other caged animals supply some entertainment and give the patrons something to smile about.
The Circuit Paul Ricard was newly reintroduced last year and as such there is little track form to go on. As it stands Hamilton had a normal, dominant display here in 2018 doing the double by converting pole into a race win. Bottas pushed him close in qualifying though.
After an impressive start to the year ValterriBottas has stalled somewhat and if he doesn’t rekindle his spark in the next race or two he will find himself out of the running sooner rather than later. Perhaps the biggest question waiting to be answered in France is whether the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal just suited them perfectly or is it a case that the scarlet reds have finally found some of their missing pace.
VERDICT
Whilst it seems that Bottas has dropped off his early season pace a touch; the Ferrari’s might just have finally found the pace that has eluded them thus far. Whilst Lewis and his Merc will be well and truly pushed by the prancing horses, I still think his course points to Hamilton being the best bet to have a bite at this weekend. Bon Appetit!
(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
