Can Lando or Leclerc beat Verstappen in Canada?

The 2024 Candian Grand Prix Preview – By Joe Murphy

It feels like an eternity since Charles Leclerc took to the top step for his home race for a 25 point haul. In contrast, it was Max Verstappen’s worst finish in well over a year. In fact, the Dutchman has only won one of the previous three outings. Is there a turn in the tide incoming?

Probably not. In short, an ill-timed Safety Car handed Lando all the advantage he needed. Yes the McLaren still had work to do, but the position wasn’t surrendered by Max. The Dutchman was just unlucky. A few weeks later, it was Monaco. At any other track, Verstappen could and probably would have overtaken several cars on way to, at the very least, a podium, if not the win. However, because of the track layout, this didn’t pan out as usual.

The circuit in Canada is actually rather similar to that of the one in Monte Carlo. Other than that obvious big straight before Champions Corner, overtaking opportunities are at a premium. Therefore, yet again, qualifying will be vital in determining how Sunday goes. If Lando or Charles can qualify ahead of Max’s Red Bull, then it is very much ‘game on’ in terms of going for the win at this event. This goes for Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri too as both of these drivers have looked pacey as of late, particularly the Australian as a runner up in Monaco.

Elsewhere, with the pressure off Sergio Perez following the recent contract extension news, hopefully for fans of the Mexican, Checo can pull out a much needed performance, missing out on Q3 on the last two qualifying sessions.

Estaban Ocon is now looking for a seat in 2025, so could treat the next few races in particular as somewhat of an audition process for interested teams such as Sauber and Haas.

Lewis Hamilton has said this week that Mercedes are not far off challenging for a podium. Whilst we have heard that numerous times this season, each a false dawn, it will be interesting where Mercedes find themselves after qualifying. At the moment, they look the very definition of ‘fourth fastest’, but things can change with the right progress.