The last F1 race on the Monte Carlo track did not provide a great spectacle, as predicted, but it made the performance closer of Ferrari and McLaren to the reigning champion team: Red Bull even more evident. The ninth round of the season on the Montreal circuit for the Canadian GP presents itself with this premise.
The track named after Gilles Villeneuve is semi-permanent located on the artificial island of Notre Dame characterized by 14 corners, almost all of which are “stop and go”, i.e. with large braking on entry and high traction on exit.
From this point of view it is a circuit similar to that of Monte Carlo, but the downforce levels required are significantly lower to make the most of the different straight sections such as the one between turn 10 and the last chicane 13-14, the most along the track.
MegaRide chart, Canadian GP
Photo credit: MegaRide
- From the temperature graph, the great thermal stress suffered by the tires when entering and exiting the corner is evident. In fact, the “stop and go” nature of the track requires heavy braking and excellent traction to best tackle the different chicanes. Chicane 13-14 is particularly critical, the last before the finish line, which is tackled after the longest straight on the circuit, Casino Straight, and is therefore subject to sudden braking. What makes this chicane even more stressful is the presence of the famous “wall of champions” very close to the exit curb which does not forgive any mistakes.
- For the third consecutive weekend, Pirelli has chosen, as is now tradition for this track, the softest set at its disposal: C3-C4-C5. The smooth and not very abrasive asphalt, in fact, allows the use of softer compounds.
- As in Monaco, the expected grip level is highly variable: low at the start of the weekend and gradually increasing in the following sessions.
MegaRide chart, Canadian GP
Photo credit: MegaRide
The Montreal track features a surface that has been resurfaced: it will be interesting to find out what it will look like given that it was smooth and not very abrasive with medium-low levels of expected wear. Wear levels for the rear tires are slightly higher due to the nature of the circuit which requires great traction when exiting the various chicanes.
As for temperatures, also for wear, the most critical chicane is the 13-14 characterized by heavy braking on entry and a high demand for traction on exit to reach maximum speed on the final straight. Unlike the Principality, here there are several overtaking points, especially on the last straight, which favor the spectacle by reducing the weight of strategies.
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