Which Teams Will Feel the Heat in Sunday’s French Grand Prix?
Round 12 of the 2022 Formula One season will take place this weekend in France. Staged at the Paul Ricard Circuit close to Marseille, temperatures are set to reach 35 degrees during Sunday’s race.
If his rivals feel the heat, George Russell can take his fourth podium finish of 2022 at the French Grand Prix. ©Jiri Krenek/MercedesF1
Results from the season-to-date suggest this should be a straight fight between Championship leaders Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz can and have collected a race win when these principles falter.
No other driver has finished better than third in 2022. Lewis Hamilton has collected four bronze medals. His Mercedes teammate, George Russell has taken three. With the possibility of the scorching heat affecting the reliability of all cars on the grid, could this duo stand on one of the top two podium steps on Sunday afternoon?
Engine and Tire Reliability the Key to French Success?
Mercedes might not have the fastest car in 2022 but amongst the front-running teams, it appears the most reliable. Its only retirement came at Silverstone when George Russell was involved in a collision on the drag to the opening corner.
The Red Bull drivers have failed to see the checkered flag five times. Ferrari has suffered six retirements. The most recent came in the Austrian Grand Prix two weeks ago when Carlos Sainz’s car became a fireball.
In addition to potential power failure induced by the extreme heat – something that appears to have affected all cars powered by Ferrari engines this season – tire wear could also scupper the hopes of many teams in France.
Paul Ricard Circuit’s dark and smooth surface absorbs incredible heat. And, allied to numerous long sweeping right-hand corners, there will be a great deal of stress on front left tires. Ideally, teams would choose to take just one pitstop – a 424-meter pit lane makes them very time-consuming – but their hands may be forced.
Russell Fancied to Take a Big Step
Mercedes rarely makes bad strategy calls and with the reliability of the German engine less of a concern, the team could enjoy one of its best races of the year. Lewis Hamilton clearly likes this venue. The Brit has collected two wins and a second from the three races staged at the Paul Ricard Circuit since it re-joined the Formula One calendar in 2018.
George Russell has taken his Mercedes across the line in fifth or better ten times this season. He is as reliable as the car itself. The best sports betting sites quote the former Williams driver at 16/1 to collect his first ever race win on Sunday.
With each-way terms of 1/3 odds for positions 1-2, he is a tempting price. However, 7/4 about the 2018 Formula Two champion simply standing on a podium step is a better bet. The tempting price is currently available at the BetVictor online sportsbook.
