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 selection for the ninth spherical of the season, as a result of the race in Montreal would be the third in a row to characteristic the three softest compounds within the 2024 vary, particularly the C3 as Exhausting, C4 as Medium and C5 as Smooth and in addition the trio’s second consecutive look on the Canadian observe, a semi-permanent circuit constructed on the artifical island of Notre-Dame, initially created for Expo ’67.
The 4.361 kilometre observe is known as in honour of Gilles Villeneuve and options six lefthand corners and eight to the correct and it has one of many lowest common speeds of the season. Stability beneath braking and traction popping out of the chicanes and the slowest corners, which embody the hairpin main onto a really lengthy straight, are the keys to being aggressive, as is a automobile that may change path shortly. In contrast to 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.
Your entire observe has been resurfaced for this yr and the kerbs have been changed. On paper, the observe’s current traits of low abrasiveness and due to this fact decreased grip ought to stay the identical, however the actual indications should wait till the Pirelli engineers perform their first measurement assessments on Wednesday. For a lot of the yr, the observe is simply utilized by folks on foot or cyclists and so lap occasions usually drop considerably because the vehicles rubber-in the floor. Graining may additionally happen, particularly on Friday and notably with the softer compounds. The tyres are subjected to very low lateral forces, though the longitudinal ones are better, however general, Montreal is among the best tracks of the season on tyres.
Whereas we’re not Monaco ranges of proximity, right here in Montreal, setting a fast time in qualifying includes getting very near the boundaries and partitions, whereas making greatest use of the kerbs, so it is also necessary 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 yr on the flip 4/5 chicane, the place the outdated tarmac run-off space has been changed with grass.
In final yr’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, attempting to elongate the opening stint as a lot as doable. One has to think about that the Security Automobile is a frequent customer and {that a} longer first stint due to this fact presents the perfect likelihood 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 at some point.
The Canadian Grand Prix first appeared on the Formulation 1 World Championship calendar in 1967 and three circuits have hosted it. Aside from 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 probably the most profitable drivers are Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, who’ve each gained it seven occasions and so they 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 probably the most (37) podium finishes.
