Canadian GP: 7 Drivers Who Could Be the 7th Different Winner This Season

It has been a phenomenal start to the championship. Never before in Formula 1 history have six different drivers won the first six races of a season. With the championship so open, and with a mere 17 points separating the top five drivers, Montreal could be the place where Formula 1 achieves a historical seven in seven. So, in celebration of the number, here are seven contenders to keep this year's title race open.

Sergio Perez

Since Perez's stunning second-place drive in the rain in Malaysia, the Mexican driver has seen his season dip into mediocrity, most recently finishing 11th in Monaco. But "Checo" isn't all to blame for this. Given the car that he drives, whose clutch in Shanghai brought down the Mexican's race finish, Perez has been doing a brilliant job.

Had he not fluffed it up on the last lap in Malaysia, it would be Alonso instead of the Perez on this list, so the Mexican has proven that even in his Sauber car he still has the ability to win races. Though, he'll probably need to do a rain dance.

Romain Grosjean

After returning to Formula 1, the Frenchmen has invigorated the new rebranded Lotus team, landing them a podium finish in Bahrain as well as top-six finishes in Shanghai and Barcelona.

But ultimately what has let Grosjean down is his three retirements, which shows a lack of consistency in the Frenchmen and the car. But Grosjean's ability is there, and he is currently in form, qualifying within the top four in the two races.

If the Francophone atmosphere of Montreal can inspire Grosjean, you wouldn't bet against him to get his get his maiden win.

Kimi Räikkönen

The return of the ex-Ferrari drive from F1 exile has seen the Finn lead Lotus to two podium finishes, which is already equal to the amount that the team (then called Renault) had last year.

Kimi's second-place finish in Bahrain is also the team's best result since Robert Kubica's second place in Melbourne in 2010. Raikkonen, along with Grosjean, is currently in top form, so if qualifying goes well for the Finn, we could see him return to the top step of the podium.

Michael Schumacher

Schumi's return to Formula hasn't been as successful as anticipated, with the German finish ninth and eighth in the last two seasons, a world away from the title winning form that he showed with Ferrari. But a lot of that had to do with his Mercedes car, which was nowhere near as competitive as the likes of Red Bull and McClaren last year.

This year, however, Schumacher has had no excuses with the Mercedes car up there with the top of the pack, as Rosberg showed in his win in Shanghai. Behind his fast teammate in 18th place, Schumacher has, despite his four retirements, shown some resurgence by qualifying apart from a grid place penalty in pole in Monaco. If Schumacher can refocus, Montreal could be the place where we see the return of the German.

Kamui Kobayashi

Though Kobayashi has lagged behind his teammate Sergio Perez in scoring this season, the Mexican has already proven that the Sauber can, at times, be very fast.

In Montreal practice, Kobayashi already outpaced his teammate in practice with the sixth fastest time. Though he is an outside bet, Kobayashi has had a decent season, and in Shanghai, he clocked up the fastest lap of the race. It shows that on the right day, Kobayashi can do it. Already behind his teammate, Kobayashi will be determined to make that day Sunday.

Felipe Massa

My favourite driver on the grid, Felipe Massa, is in form after a stunning resurgence in Monaco. But with that said, Massa only finished sixth, and that was already his best result this season. Amid reports that he is going to be replaced at Ferrari next season and with Alonso lying in first place in the championship, Massa will be absolutely determined to prove his place to the team.

With a greatly improved Ferrari, there's no better place than Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the Brazilian to do this. Fingers crossed that Felipe can do it.

Lewis Hamilton

I'm surprised that Lewis Hamilton hasn't already won a Grand Prix this season. In preseason testing, Hamilton along with McClaren was one of the fastest, and Lewis has already qualified in pole twice since the season has started. He would've had one more as well if he hadn't parked his car in Spain. Hamilton needs to find some consistency, and to pick up a season where he has been widely tipped to win, he will look for a win in Montreal.

Hamilton has good history in Quebec, winning the Grand Prix here in 2010. Hamilton is the favourite of the seven going into Sunday, and after crashing here last year, will look to redeem himself on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Disagree? Agree? Let me know.

—Christopher Tan