Portuguese Grand Prix: Top 5 drivers to watch out for

The race kicks off on May 2, as Mercedes lead the rankings with 60 points.

The Portuguese Grand Prix kicks off May 2 and all eyes of motorsport lovers will be on the event. Currently Mercedes are leading the charge with 60 points with Red Bull not too far behind. Max Verstappen has strongly pushed Red Bull in contention after a brilliant bit of racing on the wet Imola track in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The Dutchman's win in the Italian Grand Prix has opened up the tournament nicely. Verstappen is currently one point behind Hamilton and will look to take the lead. McLaren's Lando Norris too who finished 3rd in the concluded Romagna Grand Prix would like to get in the mix.

Here we take a look at some of the racers who might win it all in the Algarve International Circuit.

5. Valtteri Bottas ( Mercedes)

Valtteri Bottas could be a strong contender in the Portuguese Grand Prix. Though the Finnish driver had crashed out in his last race he cannot be ruled out of the competition. Moreover the setback might just be the push that he needs to get that much needed victory.

Bottas has been in the winning Mercedes team from 2017 replacing Nico Rosberg. He earned his podium finish in the first Grand Prix of the season where his teammate Lewis Hamilton got the win. Unfortunately he crashed out of his second race in Emilia Romagna after a crash with George Russell.

Bottas is an experienced driver having been part of Mercedes's dominant win streak since 2017. The man from Nastola has 1528 career points and 57 podium finishes speaks for itself. So this would be the perfect time for Bottas to bounce back with a victory.

4. Charles Leclerc ( Ferrari)

Charles Leclerc is one of the youngest talents on the F1 racing circuit. Leclerc was born on the Mediterranean idyll of Monaco and came in with a huge wave of expectations. Moreover the prospect was touted as the "real deal" by the elite of the F1 circuit including Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

Leclerc has a total of 12 podium fishes to his name in his young career. Leclerc also finished 4th in the last concluded Emilia Romagna behind Lando Norris. The Monegasque will definitely look to add to that podium tally in Portimao. Coincidentally Ferrari has the best record in Portugal too with 7 Grand Prix victories. So if Lady Luck shines in Ferrari's favor again it will definitely benefit Leclarc to earn the 3rd Portuguese Grand Prix win of his career.

3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

Britain's Lando Norris is another young emerging talent in the F1 racing circuit. The youngster has even drawn comparisons with the likes of fellow racer and compatriot Lewis Hamilton for his performances on track. The boy from Bristol has already earned his 2 podium finishes his young career. Ironically his last podium finish came in at the Emilia Romagna where he placed 3rd.

The rookie has also got the better of his more experienced teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. on several occasions. He also finished at 4th spot in the season opener at Bahrain. Norris's form has peaked at the right time and if the youngster can keep this going he can definitely give the veterans a run for their money in the Portuguese Grand Prix.

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)

Max Verstappen has been one of the most consistent drivers in the F1 circuit right behind Lewis Hamilton. The Dutchman had finished 3rd last season behind Mercedes rivals Hamilton and Bottas. Verstappen had an exact similar season in 2019 as well.

Max has always been in the championship contention but has never been able to win a championship for his team. Keen on changing all of that Verstappen has literally pushed in the pedal to the metal this season. Verstappen started the season with going 2nd in the Bahrain GP followed by his brilliant victory at Emilia Romagna on a slippery track.

Recapping on his victory Verstappen said, "It was very challenging but we managed everything well". Max is currently 1 point behind Lewis in the points table and will be desperate to take a lead in his next race.

1. Lewis Hamilton ( Mercedes)

Lewis Hamilton has successfully carried the mantle of Mercedes on his shoulders. Hamilton has won 6 out of his 7 world championships for the Mercedes AMG-Petronas. Hamilton is also the defending champion and has been on a 4 championship win streak.

The man from Hertfordshire is a force to reckon with inside the circuit. Tied with racing legend Micheal Schumacher in world championships and surpassing his idol Ayrton Senna for all time pole positions. Hamilton has done it all. The Brit has accumulated 3822 career points in his tally.

Though Hamilton had started this season in his usual style with wining the Bahrain GP he unfortunately lost out to Verstappen in the Rosagna. Lewis would be definitely looking to set the record straight in Algarve. The G.O.A.T of the racing world will look to channel his motto of "Still I rise" to earn a definitive win over his rivals. Hamilton knows a victory this season would put him ahead of every racer in history. The Portuguese Grand Prix would be that perfect stage for him.

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