Marussia’s pair of rookies will have the most to learn for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal next week.
After a handful of races where Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton had prior experience, either in junior formulas or in Friday testing, they’ll head to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with nary a lap turned between them in advance of the weekend. Still, both seem optimistic they’ll be quick learners.
“Canada is one of the races I have been most looking forward to all season and I have heard a lot of things about the track and the fantastic city of Montreal,” Bianchi said in an advance release. “Having been in the simulator this week I feel excited for the weekend, although I think we can expect to be challenged by the demands of the circuit characteristics.”
Chilton, who has been unspectacular to start his career and thus far yet to outqualify Bianchi (5-0 deficit until Bianchi failed to set a time in Monaco), looks forward to the prospect of running at such a lower downforce circuit compared to the high downforce setup needed for the streets of Monte Carlo.
“I’m looking forward to my Canadian Grand Prix debut and returning to the learning experience of an unknown track,” Chilton said. “From what I know and have seen in the simulator, this is one of those circuits that will keep the drivers and the engineers fully occupied by the engineering challenge, as there is such a careful balance to strike between the low and higher downforce sections of the track, at the same time as managing brakes and tires.”
