French Grand Prix – The race prospects

Will Leclerc be able to contain the Red Bull drivers?

Great performance from the Monegasque and the Italian team this Saturday in qualifications. Playing the team’s game to the fullest, they took advantage of a penalized but still fast Carlos Sainz. Ferrari managed to secure Leclerc in pole position against the Red Bulls, especially the reigning world champion, Max Verstappen.

Leclerc will obviously want to convert his 7th pole of the season into a victory in order to reduce the gap at the top of the championship against his Dutch rival, the last winner on French soil.

However, the strong degradation, lack of top speed compared to the Austrian car, and the fact that his teammate starts at the back of the grid are all factors that stand in the way of the current 2nd place in the championship. The battle for victory is therefore likely to be fierce!

Will Carlos Sainz manage to quickly climb up to the front positions?

However, extremely fast this weekend, notably setting the fastest time during Q2, Carlos Sainz already knew before even starting that his weekend would be more complicated than that of his rivals. The Spanish driver had to change many elements on his car, granting him the inevitable penalties.

However, number 55 fulfilled his contract by helping his teammate Leclerc secure pole position by providing him with a slipstream during Q3. With a very high pace during simulations, the Ferrari driver should be able to quickly climb up the ranks, but memories of Leclerc’s setbacks in Canada still linger in Maranello’s minds.

Read also: Grand Prix de France – Predictions and presentation

Will Hamilton secure a 4th consecutive podium?

On a great streak from Canada, the seven-time world champion delivered in the qualifiers by securing the best position he could aim for: 4th place behind Leclerc and the Red Bull drivers, and ahead of his rivals Lando Norris and his teammate George Russell.

On a track where it is traditionally fast, the British driver can legitimately aim for a 4th consecutive podium, knowing that degradation should be particularly strong on the Castellet circuit and that his Mercedes suffers less than his competitors in general.

However, we expected better from Mercedes this weekend on a track that was supposed to favor them more than usual. It’s as if to remind us, if needed, that theory remains theory!

Will the French score points at home?

Somewhat disappointing qualifications for the French side. Esteban Ocon made it to Q2 fairly, while Pierre Gasly didn’t even make it past Q1, despite the higher expectations based on the free practice sessions.

Both will gain two positions on the grid in the penalty game inflicted on Sainz and Kévin Magnussen. If Estéban Ocon in his Alpine has the means to fight for points this weekend (starting 10th), it would take some race events and other circumstances for Pierre Gasly to climb up as well. However, Yuki Tsunoda’s performance in qualifying, 8th, can still offer a glimmer of hope.

So, who will win this 2022 edition of the French Grand Prix?

The start of the Grand Prix will be given from 3:00 PM.