Once again, Sebastian Vettel was on pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix a fortnight ago, although Jenson Button handled the wet conditions of Montreal the best and the Brit was clearly as delighted to win this race as any of the ones he triumphed in two years ago on the way to winning the Drivers’ Title.

Button will therefore go into the European Grand Prix with some momentum, especially after recording the fastest lap in Canada, and he is 9/1 with Sportingbet (£25 free bet) to land another chequered flag and close the gap further on Vettel.

The gulf is still large, with 60 points separating the reigning champion from the 2009 winner and Vettel will be fairly confident going into the race in Valencia, especially as he has not finished outside the top two this season. His Red Bull car has been remarkably consistent and the German has solid credentials which sees him a best price 13/10 (Stan James – £25 free betting) to win this race.

Fernando Alonso was frustrated in Canada by the fact that he had to retire for the first time this season, although the Spaniard had been on the podium on two of the three previous occasions and can be backed at 11/2 with Paddy Power (£100 free bets).

As for Lewis Hamilton, it appears that controversy is going to follow the 2008 champion around for the whole season and the McLaren driver is doing his best to alienate fellow F1 drivers with his aggressive steering. Even so, there is every chance of him winning at odds of 7/2 (Blue Square).