Canadian Grand Prix 9th June
The circuit and the city
The Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve is located within the Île de Notre Dame, just alongside the Saint Lawrence River, with a public park and a dedicated race track. It is a power-dependent track and a high-braking circuit with plenty of overtaking points, especially as the FIA added a third DRS zone between turns 7 and 8 for the 2018 race. The ever popular and tricky ‘Wall of Champions’ corner at the exit of turn 14 is notorius for luring its prey into a kiss or a touch, snaring many great drivers to date. The fans are very enthusiastic here, filling the stands early every day, and downtown Montreal’s Crescent Street becomes one big Formula One celebration during the course of the weekend. It has become one of the favourites of teams’ and drivers’ alike, both in its welcoming atmosphere, and the great races that take place during the Grand Prix weekend.
The weather
The Weather at the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve plays a big role, as both temperatures and the temperament can change quickly and drastically. It can be scorching or wintery cold, and the winds can be either fierce or mild. There have been race weekends in the past with red flags caused by torrential rain, unseasonally high November temperatures which proved difficult for the tyres, and storms where the entire paddock retreated indoors because the wind didn’t allow anything not bolted down to remain grounded. The weather play a big part in the Canadian Grand Prix and can drastically change the course of the weekend.
Tyre selection
Hypersoft, Ultrasoft and Supersofts – Identical tyre choices to Monaco, Pirelli is bringing the softest dry compounds for a completely different type of circuit to the previous race. The track surface is smooth, and the abrasion is not very high, but it is a high-speed circuit with plenty of brake wear and overtaking battles, so it will not be as easy on the tyres as at the Circuit de Monaco. The lifespan of the Hypersoft tyres is still unclear at this type of circuit, therefore the Sunday race may see different pit-stop timing and strategies for each of the drivers.
