If you’re looking for a safe bet, try the sunrise. If you’re looking for certainty in Formula 1, you’re in the wrong sport—and the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix is about to remind us why. The odds say McLaren’s Oscar Piastri is the favorite, but the ghosts of Montreal’s past, the unpredictability of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and the simmering rivalry at the sharp end of the grid promise a race that could rewrite the script. Let’s take a walk through the paddock, the history books, and the betting slips to see why this Sunday’s race is shaping up to be a classic.
McLaren Ascendant: The New Order at the Top
It’s not every year that you see the bookmakers put a McLaren driver at the top of the odds for Montreal. Yet here we are, with Oscar Piastri leading the charge at +125 (implied probability: 44.44%), followed closely by his teammate Lando Norris at +160 (38.46%). For those who haven’t been paying attention, McLaren has been the class of the field in 2025, with Piastri standing on the podium in eight of nine races and winning five. Norris, meanwhile, has been the only other driver to consistently challenge his teammate, with wins in Australia and Monaco.
The numbers are impressive, but the story is even more so. McLaren’s resurgence has been built on a car that combines straight-line speed with nimble handling—exactly what you need at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The team’s technical department has finally delivered a package that can take the fight to Red Bull and, on current form, leave them in the dust.
The Australian is flying, and I can’t see him having any more confidence or momentum than he does at this moment.
SportsbookReview, June 10, 2025
Verstappen: The King of Canada Faces His Toughest Test
Max Verstappen has made Montreal his personal playground in recent years, winning the last three Canadian Grands Prix. But 2025 has not been kind to the Dutchman. After a penalty-laden Spanish Grand Prix and a season that’s seen McLaren steal his thunder, Verstappen finds himself third in the championship and third in the odds at +500 (16.67%).
Still, you’d be a fool to count him out. Verstappen’s love affair with this circuit is well documented, and his ability to bounce back from adversity is the stuff of legend.
Verstappen has won three in a row in Montreal and is renowned for his ability to bounce back and overcome a dash of adversity. It’s a track he loves, and he’ll be out to get rid of the sour taste that still lingers after his unsavory Spanish GP.
SportsbookReview, June 10, 2025
If history is any guide, Verstappen will be in the mix when the chequered flag falls. But this year, he’ll have to fight harder than ever.
The Odds Table: Where the Smart Money Is Going
Let’s take a look at the current odds for the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, courtesy of FanDuel and DraftKings as of June 10, 2025:
| Driver | Odds | Implied Probability | Profit on $10 Bet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar Piastri | +125 | 44.44% | $12.50 |
| Lando Norris | +160 | 38.46% | $16 |
| Max Verstappen | +500 | 16.67% | $50 |
| Charles Leclerc | +1500 | 6.25% | $150 |
| George Russell | +1600 | 5.88% | $160 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +1600 | 5.88% | $160 |
| Kimi Antonelli | +4200 | 2.33% | $420 |
| Yuki Tsunoda | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Isack Hadjar | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Carlos Sainz | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Alex Albon | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Fernando Alonso | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Pierre Gasly | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Liam Lawson | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Oliver Bearman | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Lance Stroll | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Franco Colapinto | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Esteban Ocon | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
| Gabriel Bortoleto | +50000 | 0.20% | $5,000 |
(Source: SportsbookReview)
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve: Where the Walls Have Memories
Montreal’s circuit is a paradox: a street track masquerading as a permanent facility, with long straights, heavy braking zones, and walls that seem to close in just when you think you’ve found the limit. It’s a place where the brave thrive and the foolish end up in the Wall of Champions.
The hybrid era has seen the circuit reward cars with low drag, strong braking, and the ability to ride the kerbs without losing composure. Qualifying is crucial, but so is the ability to react to safety cars—a frequent visitor here. As history shows, Winning at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in the hybrid era has required a car with a powerful and efficient hybrid power unit, low drag for straight-line speed, strong braking, and good traction out of slow corners. Teams must qualify well, manage tires, and be ready to capitalize on safety car opportunities.
If you want a taste of what makes this race so unpredictable, watch this preview:
The 2025 F1 Canadian Grand Prix Preview & PREDICTIONS (YouTube)
Head-to-Head: Piastri vs. Norris vs. Verstappen
The 2025 season has been a three-way dance between Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen. Here’s how they stack up in race wins so far:
- Oscar Piastri: 5 wins
- Lando Norris: 2 wins
- Max Verstappen: 2 wins
But it’s not just about the wins. Piastri has been the model of consistency, with podiums in eight of nine races. Norris, for his part, has been relentless, closing the gap to just three points after his Monaco victory. Verstappen, meanwhile, has been forced to play catch-up, his Red Bull no longer the dominant force it once was.
Time and again, Piastri has outclassed Norris in head-to-head battles this season, and I don’t see that suddenly stopping.
SportsbookReview, June 10, 2025
The Long Shots: Russell, Leclerc, and the Rest
If you’re feeling lucky, there’s value to be found further down the grid. George Russell (+1600) and Charles Leclerc (+1500) are both capable of springing a surprise, especially if the weather turns or the safety car makes an appearance at an inopportune moment. Russell, in particular, has been a podium regular this season and finished third in Montreal last year.
Neither Ferrari nor Mercedes have proven they have enough pace to pip McLaren, but stranger things have happened, especially with Russell consistently forcing himself onto the podium.
SportsbookReview, June 10, 2025
And let’s not forget the true outsiders—drivers like Kimi Antonelli, Yuki Tsunoda, and even local hero Lance Stroll. The odds are long, but in Montreal, the improbable is always just a safety car away.
Lessons from History: Montreal’s Unpredictable Past
If you think you can predict the Canadian Grand Prix, you haven’t been paying attention. This is the circuit that gave us the longest race in F1 history (2011, four hours and four minutes), the infamous Vettel penalty of 2019, and more safety cars than you can shake a stick at.
From 2015 to 2024, the race has been dominated by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with the occasional cameo from Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo. But the real story has always been the unpredictability—weather, strategy, and the ever-present threat of the walls.
As the saying goes, Let’s wait for the third race before calling anyone a legend. In Montreal, legends are made and unmade in the blink of an eye.
What the Drivers Are Saying
No preview would be complete without hearing from the men behind the wheel. Here are a few choice quotes from the paddock:
The Australian is flying, and I can’t see him having any more confidence or momentum than he does at this moment.
— SportsbookReview, June 10, 2025
Verstappen has won three in a row in Montreal and is renowned for his ability to bounce back and overcome a dash of adversity. It’s a track he loves, and he’ll be out to get rid of the sour taste that still lingers after his unsavory Spanish GP.
— SportsbookReview, June 10, 2025
Neither Ferrari nor Mercedes have proven they have enough pace to pip McLaren, but stranger things have happened, especially with Russell consistently forcing himself onto the podium.
— SportsbookReview, June 10, 2025
The Smart Money: What Should You Bet On?
If you’re looking for a sure thing, you’re in the wrong business. But if you want to play the odds, here’s what the experts are saying:
- Oscar Piastri is the favorite for a reason. His form is impeccable, and McLaren’s car is perfectly suited to Montreal.
- Lando Norris is a close second, with a strong track record at this circuit and the momentum of a recent win.
- Max Verstappen is the value bet. He knows how to win here, and if anyone can upset the McLaren apple cart, it’s him.
- George Russell is the best long shot, with a history of podiums and a knack for capitalizing on chaos.
But remember: in Montreal, the only certainty is uncertainty.
Waste a Bit More Time
If you’re not yet tired of predictions, odds, and the endless speculation that is Formula 1, here are a few links to keep you occupied until the lights go out on Sunday:
- Canadian Grand Prix Predictions, Odds: F1 Expert Picks & Long Shots for Sunday (SportsbookReview)
- The 2025 F1 Canadian Grand Prix Preview & PREDICTIONS (YouTube)
- F1 2025 Canada GP Preview and Predictions (YouTube)
- My 2025 F1 Canadian GP Preview & PREDICTIONS (YouTube)
- Formula 1 in Canada Betting sportsbooks for 2025 – Tips.GG
And if you’re still not satisfied, remember: Back in my day, we had gear sticks, not marketing departments.
