Smart money on Schumacher for the win?

With seven different winners during the first seven Grand Prix of the 2012 Formula One season, everyone is looking around at who could make it eight this weekend.

With hotter temperatures expected over the course of the weekend in Valencia for the European Grand Prix, some may take a glance at the Lotus team, who have shown great consistency over the opening races of the season.

When Romain Grosjean finishes he tends to finish well, could he be Formula One's latest winner? Or could it be his team-mate? 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, who has impressed during his come-back season..well when his steering is set up correctly which has been a problem for him at some races.

Or maybe a rejuvenated Felipe Massa, who appeared to return to form at Monaco? Perhaps he could silence his critics?

Everything so far this season points towards another unpredictable weekend, but with Valencia being one of the dullest circuits on the calendar, qualifying will be crucial and the boss of Pirelli believes that this might tip the balance in favour of seven-time F1 champ Michael Schumacher.

'I think you have to look at someone like, maybe Michael getting the pole position, He probably would have won Monaco if he hadn't been penalised, so why not there? Michael for Valencia, that's where the money needs to go.' Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery told Autosport Magazine.

If the Mercedes driver can secure pole position it will be his 69th pole position and if he went on to claim the victory it would be the 92nd win of his career.

'We know Valencia is a tough track to create an exciting race, It's hard to overtake and it's got elements of Monaco from that point of view.

'There will be some high temperatures, of course, and we're going there with the soft and medium tyre, so we should have less degradation.

'There will not be the challenge that we had in Canada, with the super soft being pushed to its limit, so that is why track position is going to be fundamental. You've got to really get a good qualifying in Valencia.'