Canadian Grand Prix Predictions: The Panel's Best Bets And F1 Tips

Canadian Grand Prix Betting Tips

• The Panel Tip 1: Carlos Sainz Podium Finish – 11/4 With Coral
• The Panel Tip 2: Nico Hulkenberg Points Finish – 6/4 With Betway

Red Bull’s perfect season has hit a bump in the road and there’s the threat of a title race developing in Formula 1 as the teams gear up for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc’s home victory in Monaco in the last round made it two wins in the past three races for non-Red Bull drivers and Max Verstappen’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship is down to 31 points.

It’s a far cry from the runaway success many had predicted for the Dutchman at the start of the year and Red Bull arrive in Montreal with something to prove.

Betting sites still favour Verstappen, who has won the last two editions of the Canadian Grand Prix and took a lights-to-flag victory in 2023.

The bookmakers give the reigning world champion a 65% chance of success this weekend, but it may prove a far from straightforward weekend for Red Bull. 

The track, which has been resurfaced, doesn’t entirely suit their 2024 car and the threat of rain throughout the weekend has the potential to cause chaos.

The Panel has decided against wagering on the win market, opting for a couple of value selections from elsewhere.

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Canadian Grand Prix Prediction: Sainz To Show His Worth

Ferrari were pretty flawless in Monaco, securing a second double podium finish of the season, led home by the victorious Leclerc.

The Monegasque rightly received all the plaudits for his first win of the season after so many near misses previously at his home circuit and Leclerc now has a platform from which to challenge Verstappen.

Leclerc’s win understandably overshadowed what was another solid weekend for his team-mate Carlos Sainz, who wasn’t all that far behind in third.

The Spaniard has been on the podium four times in seven starts this season, including standing on the top step when victorious in Australia, and yet his odds for another top-three finish on betting apps don’t reflect his consistency.

The battle for the podium at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is likely to be fierce with a Red Bull response likely after Monaco, while McLaren are expected to be firmly in the mix. 

Oscar Piastri’s recent performances make him an interesting top-three contender at 6/4 on the best F1 betting sites, but those odds are a little too skinny for the McLaren man, who has only posted three podium finishes in his career.

The Panel believe Sainz is the more likely driver to outperform his odds behind the wheel of a Ferrari that has come alive on street circuits this year.

The 29-year-old may also feel he has something to prove in Canada after being passed over this week for another F1 seat next season when Red Bull re-signed Sergio Perez.

Sainz is currently without a drive next year but can give potential suitors a little nudge as to why they should want him on board at a track where he’s performed well in each of the last two seasons. 

The Panel Tip 1: Carlos Sainz Podium Finish – 11/4 With Coral

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Hulkenberg’s Luck Haas To Turn

Sainz was less than a second behind Verstappen when runner-up in the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix, but he’s not the only driver on the grid with a Montreal hard luck story.

Nico Hulkenberg looked to have timed his qualifying run to perfection in a rain-affected Q3 last year to snatch second, only to later be demoted from the front row for speeding under a red flag.

Hulkenberg would quickly go backwards when the race started, but this year’s Haas is a far more well-rounded car and capable of scoring this weekend.

Aston Martin, who are bringing some upgrades to Canada, and RB are Haas’ main rivals to sneak into the points, but the American outfit are another team that’s enjoyed street racing this year, except for Monaco.

Hulkenberg’s race was ended by his own team-mate, Kevin Magnussen, in a lap one collision in Monte Carlo. 

Having finished just outside the points in 11th in the two races before Monaco, Hulkenberg has every right to feel he hasn't been getting the rub of the green lately.

But the future Audi driver has a good record in Canada, posting six top-10 finishes in nine starts, and The Panel believe he can get back among the points in Montreal.

 The Panel Tip 2: Nico Hulkenberg Points Finish – 6/4 With Betway