The first race in North America is upon us. We’ve had three practice sessions and qualifying to set the field for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix (1:30 p.m. ET/ABC). So, who’s going to win?

Here’s what I think.

Ferrari’s Look The Part

Ferrari won this race last year with Sebastian Vettel. But, that was their only win in Canada since 2004. That was eye opening. From 1997 through 2004, Ferrari had six wins in an eight year span. They now have 1 in the last 14.

But, this weekend is looking like they can make it 2-for-15.

Vettel and his teammate Charles Leclerc was 1-2 in each of the final two practice sessions of the weekend. They’ll start 1-3 on Sunday too.

Vettel, shattered his past track record on Saturday in earning his fifth career Canadian Grand Prix pole. He was second and first respectively in the final two practice sessions.

Leclerc, rolls off third and was first and second respectively in the final two sessions as well.

Do Mercedes Have The Pace Still?

Ferrari’s look strong, but Lewis Hamilton is right here. He starts second and has three wins in the last four years in Montreal. He also has four wins in the last five starts on the season and two runner-ups too. Mercedes has six wins in the last nine years at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve but Valtteri Bottas only starts sixth after having a rough qualifying round. Bottas though, has four straight podium finishes on the 2.709-mile road course.

Ricciardo Getting Last Laugh

Renault looks good this weekend. They’ll start 4-7 on Sunday. For one driver, this is gratifying. Daniel Ricciardo won this race in the past with Red Bull Racing. He has three straight op seven finishes on the circuit. On Saturday, he outqualified both RBR driver and will start fourth in his No. 3 Renault.

Prediction

1.  5 Vettel – I just think the Ferrari’s have something good in Montreal. The pole winner has won in the last four years in Canada. Vettel, has two career Montreal wins to go along with 10 straight top 10 finishes on the circuit. He has three podiums in his last four starts on the season including a runner-up in Monaco.
2. 44 Hamilton – He’ll earn his ninth straight top two finish and 17th in his last 19 tries. It will also mark Hamilton’s first runner-up though in Montreal. His car was first, sixth and third respectively in practice and starts second.
3. 77 Bottas – The Finnish driver charges from sixth to round out the podium in his Mercedes. Bottas, has four straight podiums in Canada and earns his seventh straight podium on the season too.
4. 16 Leclerc – He narrowly misses the podium with a late pass from Bottas. This will be Leclerc’s sixth top five finish of the season. He was third, first and second respectively in practice this weekend.
5. 55 Sainz Jr. – What a run this will be for him. He starts ninth and has two top 10 finishes in his last three starts on the season. Sainz, also has three top eight finishes in as many starts the last three years in Montreal. With Renault’s struggles that I think may happen in the race, he passes Gasly and his teammate for a top five.