As F1 arrives at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal for the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, the competition between two teammates and the history of exciting races at the track should make for a good weekend of racing.
Can McLaren keep up their form or will other teams and drivers be able to challenge for the win? Max Verstappen remains a significant threat, with a dominant history at this track, but Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are also expected to perform well.
Here’s a look at potential podium finishers and contenders for this weekend’s Round 10 matchup:
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P1 2025 Canadian Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri | McLaren
Oscar Piastri is listed as the betting favorite for the win at the Canadian Grand Prix. He is currently the championship leader and enters the race with considerable confidence and self-belief. Piastri is described as “flying” and has reportedly outclassed his teammate Lando Norris in head-to-head battles this season. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is primarily a traction race, a characteristic where the McLaren car is described as “ridiculous and nasty”, which should favor Piastri.
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P2 at 2025 Canadian Grand Prix: Lando Norris | McLaren
The competition between Lando Norris and Piastri remains tight and both drivers have the strong potential to win and snag a podium position. The McLaren has a history of performing well at this circuit with Norris finishing P2 at the Canadian Grand Prix last season. Norris stands as a reliable selection for a podium finish because he has demonstrated his ability to succeed in pole position-dependent races despite Piastri’s better head-to-head performance this season. Norris has placed on the podium in eight out of nine races during the 2025 season and he’ll do it again here.
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P3 Finisher: George Russell | Mercedes
While Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are the leading contenders, George Russell is a viable long shot for the win and a strong candidate for a podium finish. Russell has finished on the podium in four of the nine races this season and he finished third in Montreal last year. The Mercedes car has historically performed well at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The circuit has a habit of throwing up surprises, which could provide an opportunity for Russell to secure a strong finish. Mercedes has had a tough few weeks but expect Russell to change that in Montreal.
Contenders: Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari & Max Verstappen | Red Bull
Lewis Hamilton arrives at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix looking for a breakthrough, as the Ferrari driver has not yet achieved a grand prix podium finish this season and the circuit is where he’s excelled. Hamilton is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most wins at the track with seven victories, including his first in F1. At the same time, his recent form has been a concern, notably being outperformed by his teammate Charles Leclerc in Spain. The low-downforce nature of the circuit could potentially suit the Ferrari SF-25, despite potential concerns about tire wear for a driver desperately looking for a break in the clouds in what has been a stormy season.
Despite some recent challenges, Max Verstappen has a formidable history at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, having won the last three Canadian Grands Prix. Verstappen is known for his ability to bounce back after adversity, and Canada is a race he particularly enjoys. With the circuit’s unpredictability, there are opportunities to overtake, which could play to his strengths, especially if conditions are less than ideal. Although McLaren appears to have a performance advantage currently, Verstappen is expected to be in the mix.
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