Canadian GP record makes sweet reading for Hamilton
Published:Nico Rosberg’s start to finish win in Monaco two weeks ago was a sign that Mercedes are starting to compete with the very best, but at Montreal it is his team-mate Lewis Hamilton that often comes to life.
Hamilton’s record at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is an intriguing one. In the last five years, he has won three times in Canada. On the other two occasions, however, he retired after crashing with Kimi Raikkonen in 2008, and team-mate at the time, Jenson Button in 2011.
A price of 5/1 with Ladbrokes could tempt customers to back the man from Stevenage to claim the race, but due to his unpredictable and sometimes erratic driving nature it may pay to back Hamilton at 2/1 to record the fastest time in the third qualifying period.
Along with the 28-year-old’s record in the race, the Mercedes team have been coming into their own in recent weeks. Between them, Hamilton and Rosberg have secured pole position in the last four races.
But until Monaco, they had not turned those places on the front row of the grid into a spot on the top step of the podium, with Hamilton admitting he is still not totally happy with the car.
For those who feel that the Mercedes team isn’t the complete package, defending champion Sebastien Vettel provides a more than capable alternative. Pole position in Canada is something the German knows how to achieve and a price of 5/2 is sure to interest some.
Starting from the front in the last two years, first tyre degradation in 2011 and then a late mistake last year proved costly, leaving the dual champion still searching for his first victory at the track.
But if Mercedes continue their improvement it would be a surprise if they didn’t challenge for pole position and in Hamilton, they have a man who knows what it takes to compete in Montreal.
All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing
