Canadian Grand Prix Preview: Should You Bet on Canadian Lance Stroll?
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Each race during the Formula 1 season could have essentially been renamed the Red Bull Invitational.
The reigning Constructor Champions have been downright dominant this season, with Red Bull winning each of the seven races this year and did so going away in the majority of them.
For those interested in betting on Formula 1, it's difficult seeing that Red Bull dominance changing this week for the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday.
In Barcelona on June 4, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was the fastest in every practice session, qualified on pole, led every lap of the race and set the fastest lap en route to winning.
Verstappen is a -300 moneyline favorite for this weekend’s race at FanDuel Sportsbook, and his teammate, Sergio Perez is next on the odds board at +470.
Lance Stroll is Back in Canada
The race for the win and the overall title chase may be a bit of a dud right now, but the return of Canadian Lance Stroll racing in front of his home fans will be one of the storylines this week. Stroll is the lone Canadian on the grid after Logan Sargeant replaced Nicholas Latifi at Williams.
"I am really excited to return to Montréal for my home race,” Stroll said. “It's always special for me to see all the Canadian support at the city I grew up in.”
Stroll has been a part of an Aston Martin team that has seen increased speed and performance this year. Stroll’s teammate, Fernando Alonso, has routinely competed at the front of the field with the Red Bulls in qualifying and in some race action. Alonso sits third in the standings behind Verstappen and Perez.
Stroll is further down in eighth and is coming off a respectable sixth-place finish in Barcelona. He has four finishes within the Top 10, with a season-best fourth in Australia.
Stroll in Montreal
In four races at Montreal, Stroll has three points finishes with two ninths and a 10th last season. The finishes are impressive considering he’s started 17th, 16th, 17th and 17th in his four races at this track.
"It is a circuit that also holds some good memories for me,” Stroll said. “Climbing seven places to finish in the points last year was especially memorable.
"With how close the pecking order has been in recent races, it will be interesting to see what the characteristics of the circuit do to the competitiveness up and down the pitlane this weekend. The margins will be very tight so we'll be pushing hard to put on a good show for my home crowd."
Stroll Betting Odds
A Stroll win in the futures market is at 251.00.
More realistic prop bet markets for the Canadian are Stroll at 17.00 for a top six finish and -1.30 for a Top 10.
Aston Martin could be in for a better weekend if the upgrades they bring to Montreal pan out. Team Principal Mike Krack described the upgrade that will be on the car this week as “a step,” which could bolster the team’s performance this week.
If any Canadians are looking to back Stroll this week, I feel there are two ways to look at it. We know he has the pace here given how he’s worked his way through the field in all four races. However, his Saturday qualifying sessions have left him further back on the starting grid. If you feel Stroll can correct his qualifying miscues and earn a better spot — along with the upgrades helping this week — then a pre-qualifying bet on Stroll at 17.00 for a top six is worth a look.
But if you aren’t as confident in Stroll to turn around his qualifying woes, it may be worth it to wait until after qualifying to see what his top 10 odds are. He’s shown the ability to come from the rear of the pack for a Top 10 finish, and with one of the best cars he’s had during his career, he should be able to do it again.
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