Experts make Hamilton favourite for Monza
Lewis Hamilton is the favourite to win this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix according to the Castrol EDGE Grand Prix Predictor Experts.
The Briton was also a leading candidate at Spa, but got caught in a set-up blind alley in qualifying and was then wiped out in the first corner chaos.
Despite a relatively poor record at Monza, where he has finished on the podium just once and has never beaten a team-mate, the 2008 world champion dominates the Experts’ forecasts, with only McLaren team-mate Jenson Button able to boast a comparative record.
Hamiltonis picked as the potential victor by triple WTCC champion Andy Priaulx, sportscar ace Darren Turner and AUTOSPORT.
Herbert meanwhile picks Hamilton in second, favouring Button in the intra-team battle.
On the back of his excellent win at Spa Button also fares well with the other Experts, with Priaulx selecting him for second and Turner for third.
He missed out on the podium in AUTOSPORT’s selection, but does still make the top four.
While McLaren is therefore a clear favourite for Monza, there is less consensus about Hamilton and Button’s biggest threats.
Herbert, for example, selected Sebastian Vettel to round out his podium trio ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso.
It is the lowest Alonso finishes across the Experts’ selection, with Priaulx selecting him for third and both Turner and AUTOSPORT putting him second.
Vettel, conversely, fares worse, and is selected by all three in fifth position. Raikkonen is more commonly picked ahead of him, even finishing on the podium according to AUTOSPORT’s forecast.
Outside the top five the picture is even more blurred, with Sauber, Force India, Williams and Mercedes all gaining nominations.
Sergio Perez is the most widely selected, earning picks from all four Experts – the highest of which come from Turner and AUTOSPORT who put the Mexican sixth.
His team-mate Kamui Kobayashi features in the selections of two Experts, as does Nico Hulkenberg and Michael Schumacher.
Felipe Massa meanwhile receives four nominations for the first time this season, ranging from eighth in Priaulx’s selection to ninth in Hebert’s and 10th on both Turner’s and AUTOSPORT’s.
Pastor Maldonado’s grid penalty makes him a popular choice for most positions gained, but also means he missed out entirely with all four Experts’ top 10 forecasts.
In his stead, Bruno Senna gets a solitary nomination to finish 10th from Herbert.
To see the Castrol EDGE Grand Prix Predictor Experts' full selections, click here