Round 12 of the 2022 FIA Formula 1 championship takes the teams and drivers to a very hot Le Castellet in the south of France.
Max Verstappen leads Charles Leclerc halfway through the season, the Dutchman’s Red Bull proving more raceable than the Ferrari Leclerc has to fight with.
However, it was Ferrari who triumphed last time out in Austria where the Monegasque driver passed his rival three times on his way to victory.
Indeed, Ferrari have won the last two races, Leclerc’s Spielberg win coming off the back of Carlos Sainz’ maiden win at the British Grand Prix.
As all the teams fight to balance the need to improve their cars whilst remaining under the cost-cap for 2022, a surge of momentum could prove very valuable at this point of the season.
Red Bull will fancy their chances as their RB18’s excellent straight-line speed has regularly had the beating of the F1-75, but Austria suggested Ferrari had altered their approach, having taken seven poles from the 11 races so far.
And what of Mercedes, who have been slowly improving their car, now that they have solved the worst of the porpoising and bouncing problems.
A smooth circuit, with lots of medium speed corners, may aid the Silver Arrows in their hunt for a victory in 2022.
The season is beginning to hot up, but the air and track temperatures will already be roasting this weekend, meaning cars with marginal reliability might be exposed, something that caught Carlos Sainz out in Austria.
Pole Winner – Charles Leclerc
Leclerc has been the man in qualifying this season. Verstappen edged him in Austria and it will again be close, but the Ferrari has been able to get the tyres working quickly for a single lap all season.
With the wave of confidence following his first win since April last time out, I’m tipping the Monegasque to deliver on Saturday.
Race Winner – Lewis Hamilton
This is quite a bold prediction, I know. I have a feeling something is going to happen this weekend to both Leclerc and Verstappen on race day and with Carlos Sainz already taking a 10-place grid penalty, and possibly more, the Mercedes race pace and gentler use of the tyres might be enough to make the difference on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton has been more himself in recent races, third in all of the last three grand prix, makes his 300th start and what better way to celebrate that milestone than a 104th victory?
Race Podium
1st Lewis Hamilton
2nd Sergio Perez
3rd George Russell
Bold Predictions
1. Both Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen fail to finish
2. Gasly makes it to Q3
3. Double points for McLaren