British Grand Prix predictions: Sainz can put up stout defence
- Carlos Sainz won last year's British Grand Prix, his first and only F1 victory to date
- Max Verstappen has won the last five races in a row
- Recommended bet: Carlos Sainz podium finish
Max Verstappen embarrassed the competition with his effortless Austrian Grand Prix victory last weekend, and the Red Bull driver will be aiming for more of the same on another high-speed circuit in this week's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
World champion Verstappen holds a huge 81-point advantage in his quest for a third straight title. His closest pursuer is his own Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, and the Mexican will be looking for a strong performance, having failed to qualify in the top 10 at any of the last four races.
He did at least end a three-race podium drought in Austria, finishing second in the Sprint race and third in the Grand Prix, after starting 15th in the latter event.
Sainz returns to scene of his finest hour
While Verstappen has been untouchable, the picture behind him has varied, with four different drivers filling the runner-up spot in the last five races.
Perez, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have all chased home Verstappen recently, and what that tells us is that different cars have excelled at different types of circuit.
Alonso's Aston Martin coped well with the tight turns of Monaco and Canada, while Hamilton's Mercedes shone on the balanced test of Barcelona.
The seven-time world champion had expected his charge to relish the fast sweeps of Austria last time, but he was at a loss to explain the lack of balance he suffered throughout the race.
It is entirely possible he and fellow British team-mate George Russell will bounce back in front of their home crowd.
Ferrari on the rise
However, with Ferrari having found significant gains around the Red Bull Ring last week, it could pay to stick with them at Silverstone.
Leclerc deserved his second place in Austria, but Carlos Sainz can feel very hard done by with his sixth place. The Spaniard crossed the line fourth, but was one of several drivers to be handed additional time penalties after the race for exceeding track limits.
Sainz had looked faster than Leclerc in the preliminaries but the Monegasque driver produced a stunning qualifying lap to deny Sainz a spot on the front row.
The team's pit strategy then backfired for the Spaniard, who nonetheless managed to fight his way past Lando Norris and Hamilton before having to give best in an epic battle with the recovering Perez.
Rain will not worry Sainz
Sainz claimed a surprise pole position in mixed weather conditions at Silverstone last year, and Saturday's forecast suggests this season's qualifying session could again be wet. He went on to claim his maiden win in the race ahead of Perez.
While beating the Red Bulls again looks an unrealistic target, Sainz could prove over-priced to make another podium appearance.
