One Bold Prediction for Every Team for the Canadian Grand Prix
- Matt Hylen
- Jun 14
- 8 min read
Round 10 of the F1 season is underway, as the teams travel to Canada for the Canadian Grand Prix. This 70-lap race features a high-powered track with minimal slow-speed corners, making the racing all the more exciting. With the Drivers' Championship still very much up for grabs, this will be a pivotal race if the non-McLaren teams want to hang around and compete for a title.
Last season, we saw Max Verstappen win in Canada in what was a thrilling weekend. A tie for pole, safety car madness, and a three-car battle for the win was the cherry on top of an excellent but unpredictable weekend of racing. Though no rain is forecasted during the race, Canada always has a way of causing some sort of chaos.
Now, before we get into my predictions, a couple of things to mention:
Formula One has two main championship competitions. The first is the Drivers' Championship, which is a competition based on the drivers' individual performance. On a non-Sprint style weekend, the drivers who finish in the top 10 in each race will score points (the higher you place, the more points you get). These points are added up, and whichever driver finishes with the most points at the end of the season will win the Drivers' Championship.
The next is the Constructors' Championship, a competition between the teams. The number of points the drivers within a team get each race is combined, creating the total points for the team (e.g., Lando Norris has scored 176 points and Oscar Piastri has scored 186 points, giving the McLaren team 362 points in the Constructors' Championship). The team whose drivers accumulate the most points combined for their team will win the Constructors' Championship.
Also, 21 drivers will be listed within the Drivers' Championship Standings, as Franco Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan at Alpine.
Now, here is a look at the standings for both Championships:
Drivers' Championship Standings:
Oscar Piastri 186 points
Lando Norris 176 points
Max Verstappen 137 points
George Russell 111 points
Charles Leclerc 94 points
Lewis Hamilton 71 points
Andrea Kimi Antonelli 48 points
Alexander Albon 42 points
Isak Hadjar 21 points
Esteban Ocon 20 points
Nico Hulkenberg 16 points
Lance Stroll 14 points
Carlos Sainz 12 points
Pierre Gasly 11 points
Yuki Tsunoda 10 points
Oliver Bearman 6 points
Liam Lawson 4 points
Fernando Alonso 2 points
Gabriel Bortoleto 0 points
Jack Doohan 0 points
Franco Colapinto 0 points
Constructors' Championship Standings:
McLaren 362 points
Ferrari 165 points
Mercedes 159 points
Red Bull 144 points
Williams 54 points
VCARB 28 points
Haas 26 points
Kick Sauber 16 points
Aston Martin 16 points
Alpine 11 points
Standings were found at F1.com.
DISCLAIMER: These predictions are educated guesses based on the teams' previous performances around similar style tracks and potential car performance based on upgrades.
Alpine are the Worst Car on the Grid
Though Alpine has looked decent at times this season, I believe they will crumble this weekend. With their rivals progressing in the right direction, Alpine may find themself behind in most aspects heading into qualifying.
Though I would not be shocked if Pierre Gasly were to outperform the car and secure a solid position in qualifying, I do not think that performance will be sustainable over the race. The car just is not good enough. Plus, until I see otherwise, I have to believe Franco Colapinto will be a Q1 exit in qualifying, while finding it difficult to gain positions.
Now, a lot would have to happen for Alpine to be the worst car, hence why this prediction is bold. Kick Sauber would have to maintain their level of performance from the last race, while the likes of Haas would have to improve in both qualifying and race pace. However, if both were to happen, Alpine's lack of car improvement might force them into that bottom-of-the-barrel position come the Grand Prix.
Both Aston Martin Drivers Finish in the Top Ten
I think Aston Martin may have just enough in the tank to surprise a lot of people this weekend. Coming off his first points finish of the season, Fernando Alonso has looked great the past few races, while a home race for Lance Stroll could give him just the motivation he needs to put in a good performance.
Sure, Aston Martin has not looked great in practice thus far, especially Stroll, but I think qualifying will be a telling sign for Aston Martin. Q3 may be a tough ask, but if both Alonso and Stroll can finish just outside of the top ten, they will still have a great chance to come away with some good points for the team.
A Ferrari Misses Q3
Ferrari are off to another slow start in Canada. With Leclerc missing half of FP1 and all of FP2 after his crash, he will only have one real practice session to get himself in place to qualify. Though he has pulled it off before, I have a bad feeling that the lack of preparation time will not do Leclerc any good.
Ferrari's pace has looked mediocre at best so far this weekend, which I feel will translate into qualifying. Lewis Hamilton still does not look comfortable in the car, but he may be Ferrari's only hope of a successful qualifying session. With no true upgrades to speak of, do not be surprised if Ferrari struggles for qualifying pace this weekend, with the potential of one of them missing Q3.
Both Haas Drivers Qualify in the Bottom Five
It is tough to make a prediction for Haas, as the unpredictability of the drivers and the car's performance are evident every race weekend. However, I do not think this will be Haas' weekend.
Haas has struggled mightily at power-centered tracks, especially in qualifying. With the team yet to figure out how to unlock any sort of qualifying pace, I just do not see them having any real success in qualifying.
With that said, Haas has shown on multiple occasions that they can salvage the weekend in the race, so I would not be surprised if either Esteban Ocon or Ollie Bearman finished higher up the grid. Until Haas can prove any sign of consistency in qualifying, I have no reason to believe that Haas will make a Q2 appearance at a track that does not suit their car.
Kick Sauber Finish in the Top Twelve in Qualifying and the Race
It is not every day you get to make a bold prediction like this for Kick Sauber and have a chance of it coming to fruition, so you bet I am riding the Kick Sauber hype train until it inevitably stops.
Kick Sauber looked like a different team last weekend. They finally were able to give their drivers a car that could compete, and boy, did they run with the opportunity. Both Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto looked better than they have all season long, with their level of driving finally correlating to a race result.
So, if Kick Sauber can hone in on whatever they unlocked pace-wise within the car, they will be in good shape this weekend. They clearly have the driving talent, so why not believe that another good result is on the horizon?
McLaren...Struggle?
This would definitely be my boldest prediction, but I firmly believe that McLaren will not look like the far and away best team this weekend.
Do I think they could still win the race? Absolutely, and they probably will, but I think this will be their biggest test yet. The car is not responding as it usually does so far, with neither Norris nor Piastri driving in their expected form. Sure, practice does not tell much, but it is a tad concerning considering McLaren has topped most of the practice times this season.
With Mercedes looking rapid so far this weekend, Williams back to their expected form, and Max Verstappen driving with a purpose, McLaren should have a legitimate fight on their hands. Again, I would not be shocked if Norris or Piastri won in Canada, but I also would not be completely surprised if neither of them won either. The playing field will be evenly spread this weekend in my eyes.
George Russell Wins the Canadian Grand Prix
Is this a little bit of my Mercedes fandom delusion? Maybe. However, it is still not impossible this weekend.
Mercedes look good so far this weekend, as they have most weekends. With the temperatures not expected to be hot, the car should return to its peak form, meaning George Russell will have a legitimate shot. If McLaren continues to show vulnerability this weekend and Mercedes' engine holds up, I see no reason why George couldn't win this weekend. He is great around this track and pulled off a heck of a performance with a worse car last season, so why not him?
Qualifying will be extremely important for Russell. If he can take pole position, or at least split the McLarens, he has a shot. If he finishes behind both McLarens in qualifying, it will be borderline impossible, barring any safety cars or red flags, for George to overtake both Norris and Piastri. However, if the pace is where I expect it to be, I still think George can pull off a brilliant lap and maintain his position to compete for a win.
No Points for VCARB
I love how this can be considered a bold prediction for VCARB, yet I still think VCARB could struggle in the race.
VCARB has looked decent in practice thus far, giving no real reason why they might struggle, but I am predicting that other teams will be better. Williams seems to have returned to their expected form, which is way above VCARB. Plus, you cannot count out Aston Martin or Kick Sauber (crazy I'm saying this) this weekend either.
With this in mind, if you take into account Lawson's tendency to be ultra-aggressive and Hadjar's lack of defensive experience, it could be a tough weekend for VCARB. Not tough enough to wave any panic flags, but rather just an off weekend that the team can easily recover from.
Red Bull Finishes the Weekend with Single-Digit Points
Red Bull melted down last weekend, we all know that, and with the car where it is currently, Canada could be another bad weekend for the team.
First off, Max Verstappen is one penalty point away from a one-race ban. This means if Verstappen so much as commits a track infringement penalty for going wide on a turn, he will not compete in the next race. It is because of this that Max's aggressiveness will have to go out the window for as long as he can take it, which may not be long. Sure, Max could do what he does in qualifying and outperform the car to the maximum extent, but I just do not see him driving to his best ability, not with the penalty situation hanging over his head.
Now, combine this with the lack of performance Yuki Tsunoda has shown in an impossible car to drive, and you have a recipe for disaster if you are Red Bull.
Williams Secure a Podium Position
Another crazy bold prediction, I'm aware, but a fun one nonetheless.
Williams are primed to turn heads this weekend. After a disastrous weekend last time out, Canada is the perfect rebound for the team. The way the car is built is nearly perfect when driving on a track like Canada, which is making me believe that Williams could shock the world and secure a podium position.
In terms of who it could be, I think it could be either one of Williams' drivers. Carlos Sainz has shown flashes of brilliance, while Alex Albon is arguably having the best year of his career in terms of individual performance compared to the car. I would not be shocked if Williams is faster than both Red Bull and Ferrari, or at least the third fastest car, and capitalize on their opportunities to secure a podium position in Canada.
Stay tuned for more F1 content, and be sure to check out fansonlysportz.com for more sports media content posted daily.
Until next time!
-Matt Hylen
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