Canadian GP Paddock Notebook - Thursday - MotorSportsTalk

In a new feature on MotorSportsTalk, we’ll be putting together a paddock notebook for the upcoming races on the Formula 1 calendar, bringing you an all-in-one article with the big stories of the day, some of the more subtle bits of news, and just the general paddock atmosphere.

This week, we’re in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The race is a favourite among the drivers and the fans, welcoming a large number of Americans. They will get the chance to cheer on a home favorite this weekend as American driver Alexander Rossi takes part in the first free practice session for Caterham. We’ll be chatting with Alexander later today, so stay tuned for our interview with him.

NEWS FROM THE PADDOCK

Here is our complete preview of the 2014 Canadian GP, complete with TV times, stats, and the big storylines that are set to define this weekend’s race.
Our writing team has once again made its predictions for the race, and unsurprisingly, we have all picked a Mercedes driver to win the race. Are we Team Lewis or Team Nico, though?
Esteban Gutierrez is refusing to get down about his Monaco mishap. The Mexican spun out while running in the points, but still feels that Sauber has momentum going forwards.
Kevin Magnussen seemed to be in good spirits today, and spoke about his experiences as a rookie in Formula 1. He was quick to reject any suggestions that he is holding McLaren back due to his inexperience.
His fellow Scandanavian, Kimi Raikkonen, underlined the importance of Ferrari taking its time to plot a return to the front of the field. He was also unwilling to say that he would win a race in 2014.
Jenson Button may be one of the oldest drivers on the grid, but he has no plans to retire just yet. The Briton believes that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level at McLaren.

We also got the chance to sit down with Caterham’s American reserve driver Alexander Rossi for a one-on-one interview. He spoke in depth about his season so far, his future, F1 in the USA and his chances with Haas Formula.

The Canadian Grand Prix is one of the most popular races on the calendar for a reason, with the city being so vibrant and embracing F1 with open arms. The fans were certainly out in force, coming into the pit lane for driver autograph sessions and to soak up the atmosphere at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The only downside was the drizzly weather, so hopefully things will brighten up by tomorrow for practice.

Of course, the action will really get going tomorrow with practice. You can watch FP1 live via live stream, with FP2 being broadcast live on NBCSN and Live Extra.

For more information on NBCs broadcasting of the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix, click here.

Follow @LukeSmithF1

Three riders remain locked in a tight battle with 17 points separating the leader Cooper Webb from third-place Chase Sexton and these are only a few Supercross numbers to consider entering Seattle.

Seattle Supercross numbers — *Chase Sexton made a statement in Detroit with his second win of 2023. – Feld Motor Sports*

For the fifth time in 10 rounds. Sexton, Webb, and Eli Tomac shared the podium in Detroit. Between them, the trio has taken 23 podiums, leaving only seven for the remainder of the field. Jason Anderson, Ken Roczen and Justin Barcia have two each with Aaron Plessinger scoring the other.

Webb and Tomac won the last four championships with two apiece in alternating years, but they were not one another’s primary rival for most of those seasons. On the average, however, the past four years show an incredible similarity with average points earned of 21.0 for Webb and 21.3 for Tomac. With five wins so far this season, Tomac (23 wins) leads Webb (19) in victories but Webb (43) edges Tomac (41) in podium finishes during this span.

Tomac has won two of the last three Seattle races and those two wins in this stadium are topped only by James Stewart. Fittingly, if Tomac gets a third win this week, he will tie Stewart for second on the all-time wins’ list. Tomac tied Ricky Carmichael for third with 48 wins at Oakland and took sole possession of that spot with his Daytona win.

Sexton still has a lot to say and after winning last week in Detroit, he is speaking up. The Supercross numbers are against him entering Seattle, however, because a points’ deficit this large after Round 10 has been erased only once. In 1983 David Bailey was 47 points behind Bob Hannah, and like Sexton he was also in third place. Bailey took the points’ lead with one race remaining.

The seven points Sexton was penalized last week for jumping in a red cross flag section in Detroit could prove extremely costly.

In fact, it has been a series of mistakes that has cost Sexton the most. In the last two weeks, he lost 10 points with a 10th-place finish to go with his penalty. Erase those, and all three riders hold their fate in their hands.

Plessinger’s heartbreak in Detroit is still fresh, but the upside of his run is that was his best of the season and could turn his fortunes around. Prior to that race, he led only seven laps in three mains. He was up front for 20 laps in Detroit with five of those being the fastest on the track.

Last week’s win by Hunter Lawrence tied him with his brother Jett Lawrence for 17th on the all-time wins’ list. With the focus shifting to 250 West for the next two rounds, Jett has a great opportunity to pull back ahead. The real test will be at the first East / West Showdown in East Rutherford, New Jersey on April 22.

Last Five Seattle Winners

450s
2022: Eli Tomac
2019: Marvin Musquin
2018: Eli Tomac
2017: Marvin Musquin
2014: Ryan Villopoto

250s
2022: Hunter Lawrence
2019: Dylan Ferrandis
2018: Aaron Plessinger
2017: Aaron Plessinger
2014: Cole Seely

By the Numbers

Detroit
Indianapolis
Daytona
Arlington
Oakland
Tampa
Houston
Anaheim 2
San Diego

More SuperMotocross coverage

How to Watch Seattle Supercross
Dylan Ferrandis may return before SX finale
SMX develops “Leader Lights”
Power Rankings after Detroit
Hunter Lawrence defends Haiden Deegan
Results and points after Detroit
Chase Sexton wins in Detroit, penalized seven points

Canadian GP Paddock Notebook – Thursday

Seattle Supercross by the numbers: Three riders separated by 17 points

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