Formulation 1 returns to North America after two European rounds in Imola and Monaco.
The Canadian Grand Prix due to this fact means a change of continent nevertheless it’s a case of establishment with regards to tyre compound alternative for the ninth spherical of the season, as a result of the race in Montreal would be the third in a row to function the three softest compounds within the 2024 vary, specifically the C3 as Exhausting, C4 as Medium and C5 as Gentle and in addition the trio’s second consecutive look on the Canadian monitor, a semi-permanent circuit constructed on the artifical island of Notre-Dame, initially created for Expo ’67.
The 4.361 kilometre monitor is known as in honour of Gilles Villeneuve and options six lefthand corners and eight to the precise and it has one of many lowest common speeds of the season. Stability below braking and traction popping out of the chicanes and the slowest corners, which embrace the hairpin main onto a really lengthy straight, are the keys to being aggressive, as is a automobile that may change path shortly. Not like the earlier cease on the calendar in Monaco, overtaking is feasible right here, particularly on the finish of the straight resulting in the ultimate chicane, the exit to which options the “Wall of Champions,” thus named after three world champions, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, all ended their races there in 1999, crashing into the wall on the skin of the flip.
The complete monitor has been resurfaced for this 12 months and the kerbs have been changed. On paper, the monitor’s present traits of low abrasiveness and due to this fact decreased grip ought to stay the identical, however the true indications should wait till the Pirelli engineers perform their first measurement exams on Wednesday. For many of the 12 months, the monitor is just utilized by folks on foot or cyclists and so lap occasions usually drop considerably because the vehicles rubber-in the floor. Graining may also happen, particularly on Friday and notably with the softer compounds. The tyres are subjected to very low lateral forces, though the longitudinal ones are larger, however general, Montreal is without doubt one of the best tracks of the season on tyres.
Whereas we’re not taking a look at Monaco ranges of proximity, right here in Montreal, setting a fast time in qualifying entails getting very near the limitations and partitions, whereas making greatest use of the kerbs, so it is also vital for the motive force to do as many laps as doable to realize confidence. Clearly, the slightest error is severely punished. That is particularly the case this 12 months on the flip 4/5 chicane, the place the outdated tarmac run-off space has been changed with grass.
In final 12 months’s race, all three dry compounds got here into play with a mixture of methods with some drivers, together with the three who completed on the rostrum, going for a two-stop whereas others pitted simply the as soon as, making an attempt to elongate the opening stint as a lot as doable. One has to consider that the Security Automotive is a frequent customer and {that a} longer first stint due to this fact presents the perfect probability of minimising time misplaced altering tyres.
The climate, at all times very changeable in June, usually performs its half within the Quebec occasion. A chilly, wet, windy day, may be adopted by sunshine and heat, however temperatures may even range significantly within the area of sooner or later.
The Canadian Grand Prix first appeared on the Formulation 1 World Championship calendar in 1967 and three circuits have hosted it. Other than the present venue, the race was held at Mosport in Ontario eight occasions and twice at Mont-Tremblant, additionally in Quebec, just below 150 kilometres to the north of Montreal. There have been 52 editions and essentially the most profitable drivers are Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, who’ve each received it seven occasions they usually additionally share the pole award with six apiece. McLaren guidelines the roost among the many Constructors’ with 13 wins and 11 poles, whereas Ferrari has essentially the most (37) podium finishes.
