French GP

It's a decade since F1 came racing in France, but it returns this weekend to Paul Ricard - a circuit some of the drivers and teams will know reasonably well from testing and for the younger drivers, from racing in lower formula in recent seasons.

The jury is out a little over exactly what sort of track it is with the monsterous back-straight now broken into two, and the three decent power sections of the track separated by most more challenging and complex sections which will require a well balanced car. The best form guide may well be Barcelona in terms of who could hold the best hand here.

The season is shaping up nicely, with just a point between Vettel and Hamilton, although its probably fair to say Hamilton has enjoyed lady luck a little more overall, so Vettel arguably has the early edge. Bottas has been going about his business as support man really well, with four 2nd places in six races (and a potential win missed at Azerbaijan through no fault of his own). After that Daniel Ricciardo is chasing hard and always makes the most of any chances, while Kimi Raikkonen has been disappointing and Max Verstappen is losing value in his stock rapidly.

If Spain does prove to be the best pointer, then Mercedes may be back on top in qualifying - something Hamilton really looks to need to settle him down. The 6/4 on Hamilton doesnt really look long enough though given the Ferrari Saturday pace this season. Instead, perhaps we should gamble that the Mercedes is strong enough, but back Valtteri Bottas to finish on the podium at 5/4 instead. He did so comfortably in Spain, and looks a solid back-up this season.

Red Bull would surely be closer to the top two teams if they could get pace into the car in qualifying, but the absence of that has meant Sunday's have taken on increased importance. Take Ricciardo for instance. He has qualified 5-5-6-4-6-1-6 so far this season, and improved his race position in every race he has finished (except the flag to flag in Monaco). That's given him three fastest laps already along the way, and that looks a decent bet again this weekend - the tyre degradation on the Red Bull tending to leave them strongest on track towards the end of the races when the low fuel times are being pumped in. He's 4/1 for the fastest lap of the race.

Further down the order, Kevin Magnussen took a Haas to 6th in Spain, but he's no better than Romain Grosjean as a driver (despite what the Championship table might tell you) and it could be the turn of the Frenchman to finally post a points finish this season. He was close in Canada, and this circuit should suit both him and the package better. At 7/4 he feels like value to finish inside the points.

It could also be worth backing the impressive Charles Leclerc who is already drawing links with Ferrari after three points finishes in his opening seven races. He won both GP3 and GP2 enroute to Formula One, and Paul Ricard could suit the Monaco man well with opportunites to wring more than usual out of the car in the heavy braking areas. He's 2/1 for a points finish.

2pts Bottas to finish on the Podium at 5/4 (General)

2pts Ricciardo to set the fastest lap of the race at 4/1 (SportingBet)

1pt Grosjean to finish in the points at 7/4 (General)

1pt Leclerc to finish in the points at 2/1 (General)

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