Force India will thrive at European Grand Prix, says Johnny Herbert

By Johnny Herbert, Expert Analyst

Image: Force India's Nico Hulkenberg, who finished eighth in last week's race in Montreal

Force India should thrive in this weekend's European Grand Prix in Azerbaijan, according to Sky Sports F1 pundit Johnny Herbert.

Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg have finished in the points in both Monaco and Canada and Herbert thinks the long straights of the new Baku City circuit will suit the Mercedes engine of the Silverstone-based team.

Herbert, who is backing Force India to secure a double points finish at 5/4 with Sky Bet, said: "The team are beginning to understand their car a lot more now than at the start of the season and it shows in their results.

"The long straights in Baku will certainly play to the strengths of the Mercedes engine and Force India should be able to take advantage of that and pick up double points for the third race in a row."

Herbert's Tips

Johnny's tipping Force India to secure a double points finish at the Canadian GP at 5/4 with Sky Bet

Last week Herbert successfully tipped Lewis Hamilton to win his fifth Canadian Grand Prix at odds of 11/10 and in doing so close the gap on Drivers' Championship leader Nico Rosberg to just nine points.

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But this week the former F1 driver is expecting Ferarri's Sebastian Vettel to relish the circuit and go one better than last week's runners-up finish in Montreal at 11/2 with Sky Bet.

Herbert said: "The warm temperatures in Baku and Supersoft tyres will certainly play to the strengths of the Ferrari we saw in Canada and after that new engine upgrade, they're certainly no slouches on the straights - and Baku has a very, very long straight."

Also See:

When is the European GP on Sky?

The inaugural European GP in Azerbaijan is live on Sky Sports - click here for the full TV schedule.

After missing out by 0.14  in his tip of last week's winning margin being under five seconds, Herbert is confident a few drivers will struggle to come to terms with the new street circuit and is tipping under 18.5 drivers to make it to the chequered flag at 8/13.

Johnny Herbert's Charity tips this season are supporting Sporting Memories.

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