Magny-Cours Preview: Can Ferrari Rule The Roost?

Well...that Canadian Grand Prix two weeks ago is still fresh in my mind. We were all expecting Lewis Hamilton to claim a second victory in Montreal, but he messed it up by shunting into Kimi Raikkonen, and BMW's Robert Kubica took advantage to sweep to victory.

Can this weekend's French Grand Prix be as exciting? I don't think so.

We go into this Grand Prix with Kubica leading the drivers' standings with 42 points, four ahead of Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton, and a further three ahead of world champion Raikkonen.

Also, Ferrari still hold onto the lead in the constructors table, but BMW scythed the gap in Canada with a one-two finish.

What are the prospects for the big teams this weekend?

The French Grand Prix has always been a Ferrari stronghold. Ferrari have better performance round here than the McLarens and BMWs by a sizable chunk.

This was the race that revitalised Kimi Raikkonen's world championship hopes last year when he stormed to victory here. Can he do so again this weekend?

Well, his only real opposition should be his teammate Massa and Kubica, with Hamilton taking a 10-place grid penalty after the incident in Canada, and Kovalainen still not showing good form yet.

Heidfeld has been overshadowed by his teammate Kubica in 2008, but produced a strong drive to take second in Canada behind Kubica. He had a chance of winning a race for one of the few times in his career.

Nico Rosberg has also been impressive over the season so far, but also has to take a 10 place grid penalty for his part in the Hamilton-Raikkonen shunt.

I expect all the other teams to trail in Ferrari's wake this weekend. I'm going for a Ferrari one-two, with Raikkonen taking the win with Massa second and Kubica third. If Hamilton has a strong run from his weak place on the grid, he has a shot at some points.

And if this race can match the excitement of Canada, Formula 1 has really turned a new leaf!

Enjoy the race everyone!