F1’s global adventure continues this weekend with the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. This race marks the sport’s first foray into North America since the United States Grand Prix in Austin last November, and should be well attended by the American fans.
Those who do make the journey north will get a chance to cheer on a home-grown driver as Alexander Rossi takes part in the first free practice session for Caterham. Rossi is balancing his reserve driver commitments with a full GP2 campaign, and although the first part of the year hasn’t gone entirely to plan in the feeder series, he will still be keen on putting in an impressive display behind the wheel of the CT-05.
At the front of the grid, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are set to resume battle after a tenuous weekend in Monaco. With a truce being called last week, the waters may have calmed at Mercedes, but that won’t stop either driver from pushing this weekend in the battle for the championship lead.
2014 Canadian Grand Prix – Talking Points
Hamilton plans on re-claiming Montreal crown
Lewis Hamilton’s record around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is extraordinary. After winning there at just his sixth ever grand prix in 2007, the Briton also emerged victorious in 2010 and 2012. In 2008, he retired after starting from pole, and he also dropped out of the legendary 2011 race after a run-in with McLaren teammate Jenson Button. Last year was in fact the first time that he had finished the Canadian Grand Prix and not won it, coming home in third. Can he re-claim his crown this weekend?
Mercedes to power ahead?
So far this season, the Mercedes-engined cars have been the ones to beat, and this weekend could see them enjoy their biggest advantage yet. The long straights and high-power nature of the Circuit Gills Villeneuve means that Force India, Williams and McLaren will be more at home, but quite whether this translates into a podium finish remains to be seen.
Renault finally up to speed, apparently
After a difficult start to the 2014 season, Renault has apparently quelled its engine woes and should be in better shape for this weekend’s race in Montreal. Red Bull, Lotus, Toro Rosso and Caterham have all been struggling with their power units so far this year, but according to Renault Sport F1 head Remi Taffin, this race marks “the first full opportunity to see where we are versus the competition”.
Play it again, Jules
Jules Bianchi’s ninth place finish for Marussia at the Monaco Grand Prix was a truly brilliant story, with both the driver and the team scoring their first ever points. Just like any good trick, there is now a baying crowd crying “do it again!” It might be a bit of a stretch in Montreal, but should another race of attrition set in, who knows?
And what of Ferrari?
Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen have been struggling for much of this season, but in Monaco there were signs of a revival. Raikkonen looked poised to finish third, but a run-in with an errant Marussia ended his hopes. Alonso finished a lonely fourth, and he’d be lucky to finish there this weekend. The Italian chargers need to find their feet sooner rather than later, and this weekend could be an important one.
Canada – Facts and Figures
Track: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Laps: 70
Corners: 13
Lap Record: Ralf Schumacher 1:12.275 (2004)
Tyre Compounds: Super-Soft (Option); Soft (Prime)
2013 Winner: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2013 Pole Position: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 1:25.425
2013 Fastest Lap: Mark Webber (Red Bull) 1:16.182
DRS Zone: Main straight (T13 to T1); back straight (T11 to T12)
