Canadian Grand Prix Predictions: Russell can hit back in title battle
If George Russell thought a dominant Mercedes car would carry him serenely to a first Formula 1 drivers' championship then he has been made to think again by the irresistible form of his teenage team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
The Italian has won three races in a row to open up a 20-point lead in the early title race, but there are reasons to believe Russell can halt Antonelli's charge in this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.
Favoured track may bring out best in Russell
Tip 1 – George Russell to win @ 15/8
There were signs towards the end of last season that Antonelli was beginning to get on terms with his vastly more experienced team-mate Russell, but few would have expected the Italian to have hit such impressive form this early in the new campaign.
While Antonelli followed his second place in the season opener in Australia with three wins from pole position, Russell has failed to make the podium in the last two races.
Russell should not have lost too much confidence from his form, though. He suffered technical issues in qualifying in China and during the race in Japan, while Miami is a circuit he has always struggled to get to grips with.
Montreal will be an acid test for the King's Lynn racer, though, as he won there last year and has a decent record overall at the track.
Mercedes' advantage over the field was much reduced in Miami last time, but the Silver Arrows were one of the few teams not to introduce a significant package of upgrades at that race.
Three weeks on, their new parts are good to go, and it would be no surprise if the Mercedes drivers are duelling for victory in Canada.
Bookmakers are struggling to split the pair, but Russell is the more attractive bet to repeat last year's success.
Leclerc can challenge for Ferrari
Tip 2 – Charles Leclerc top-three finish @ 5/2
This is threatening to become another season of 'good, but not good enough' for Ferrari. Despite rocketing off the start line consistently, the red cars have not seriously challenged for a race victory.
Charles Leclerc once again looks a greater threat than his more illustrious team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari colours, and the Monegasque came within two laps of making it three podiums from four to start the season, in Miami last time.
Leclerc also has top-three finishes in both of this year's Sprints, and with that format again in operation this weekend, he looks overpriced for another podium appearance on Sunday.
Attritional test could be on the cards
Tip 3 – Under 19.5 finishers @ 4/6
With a radical overhaul of the rules and one brand new team on the grid, reliability was expected to be a major issue this season, at least in the early races.
Overall, the reliability level has been higher than expected, but in China four cars failed to even make the start of the race.
Even after a five-week break prior to Miami, in which the teams were free to develop their cars back at base, two drivers failed to start the Sprint due to technical issues, while the Grand Prix featured four retirements.
With a field of 22 this year, at least three would have to fail to complete 90% of the race distance for under 19.5 finishers to pay out.
However, given the reliability record this season, coupled with the fact that the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one of the less forgiving tracks, plus a chance of rain on Sunday, under the finishers looks the side to be on.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
