With teams set for a showdown at one of the most popular tracks in Formula 1, who has the tools and speed to come out on top in Canada?
Formula 1 is back in the Great White North for an early summer North American one-stopper. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a 2.709-mile (4.361-kilometer) power-intensive circuit, is set to be quicker this weekend with the addition of a third DRS zone and the testing of a number of new upgrades by teams. Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo is primed for engine-related grid penalties after his Monaco masterpiece two weeks ago.
In addition, Canada has always been a favorite of Lewis Hamilton, the current leader of the championship standings. How will the weekend in Montreal play out? Will Hamilton continue to show his pace in Canada? Will the upgrades work? Will Red Bull Racing and/or Ferrari give Mercedes a real challenge? Here’s what to watch for in the 2018 Canadian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton
The four-time world champion comes to Canada with a narrower lead in the championship standings than he had before the Monaco Grand Prix. However, Hamilton loves the Canadian Grand Prix having won in Montreal six times. One more and he will match Michael Schumacher’s wins record at the track.
Hamilton heads into the weekend slightly on the back foot, as Mercedes have delayed their engine upgrade, which will now be slated for a debut in the French Grand Prix. With rivals Red Bull Racing and Ferrari bringing power upgrades to Canada, can Hamilton beat them back while he is still using the engine he has used since the Australian Grand Prix to open up the season?
Upgrades
As mentioned, Red Bull Racing’s engine supplier, Renault, have brought a “speed fix” engine upgrade to Montreal. Will that be enough to keep one or possibly two of the Red Bull Racing drivers at or near the front of the field? Ferrari have added an engine upgrade to their Canada to-do list. The team say the upgrade will add an additional 20 horsepower. Honda, Toro Rosso’s engine supplier, have also brought a major engine update. Will it help Pierre Gasly continue his excellent form? Will it be enough to keep Brendon Hartley in the car if he does well?
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While technically not an upgrade, Pirelli’s use of the hypersoft tire will definitely be a major talking point, as even at the Circuit de Monaco, the least power-needy circuit in Formula 1, teams were hesitant to use the pink-striped tire. How the hypersoft tires hold up in practice and qualifying will determine their status as a potential race tire.
Third DRS Zone
Liberty Media are keen on increasing overtaking in F1, even more so after fans complained about a lack of passing/action in the Monaco Grand Prix. It seems that the answer is a third DRS zone. Liberty added a third DRS zone for the Australian Grand Prix to open up the season, and they have added one for this weekend as well. The new DRS zone for the Canadian Grand Prix will be between turn seven and turn eight and F1 executives hope that it will liven up the spectacle.
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The drivers’ spotlight will be on Hamilton this weekend as he attempts to match Schumacher’s wins record in the Canadian Grand Prix, and it will also be on Ricciardo as the Red Bull Racing driver attempts to limit the damage of his to-be-determined grid penalty. The track spotlight will be on the various engine upgrades and the state of the hypersoft tires. It is shaping up to be an interesting weekend on the St. Lawrence River.