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F1: Canadian Grand Prix Predictions and How To Watch

F1 returns to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, with rain potentially in the mix for the second straight year.

F1 is back for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend for the second trip to the Americas in 2023. With some more wet weather likely on the way, let’s see if any of the top teams find themselves out of position come Sunday.

While we know which top teams are in the mix this season, we got a shake-up near the top of the standings after Spain. Mercedes grabbed a double podium behind winner Max Verstappen and vaulted up to second in the constructor standings ahead of Aston Martin.

The Silver Arrows were behind Aston Martin by one point heading into Barcelona, but are now 18 points ahead of them as we get set to race in Canada. While Barcelona is always a good track for Mercedes, the pace was promising, showing that the upgrades they brought have, at the very least, incrementally improved their pace.

Alpine, Aston Martin, and Red Bull all secured double points finishes as well, though Sergio Perez could only manage fourth after a poor qualifying. His deficit to championship leader Verstappen now sits at 53 points after it was just 14 points two races ago.

Red Bull’s two-time defending champion is once again exhibiting a level of pace and consistency that is unmatched by anyone else at the moment. With the research and development penalty set to take a greater effect as the season progresses, it remains to be seen how close, if at all, the other teams can get to Red Bull’s current form.

Even if it does make an impact, they’re building such an early advantage that it may be hard for anyone to overcome. As mentioned though, wet weather can throw a wrench into everyone’s plans, so maybe we’ll see a surprise result in the Great White North this weekend.

The Circuit

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a 4.361 km (2.710 miles) circuit in Montreal, Quebec. The track has hosted the Canadian Grand Prix in all but four years since 1978 and has a nice blend of both street circuit and permanent circuit characteristics.

The most successful drivers at the track are two of the sport’s greatest. Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton each hold the record with seven wins at the circuit. They each took a record six pole positions at the circuit as well.

Outside of Hamilton, only Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen have won at the track among active drivers, though they both have just one win apiece.

This weekend the teams will have the C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), and C5 (Soft) tires available to them. Expect some usage for the intermediates and wet weather tires too, as rain is forecast for both Friday and Saturday. It looks like things will remain dry for Sunday, but you can never be too sure with F1.

A Lap of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

The lap begins on the main straight down to the slow first two turns where chaos tends to ensue on the opening laps of the race. Turn 1 is a tight left-hander while the long Turn 2 forces drivers to be patient before getting on the throttle.

The next several corners essentially consist of a few chicanes. Turns 3 and 4 are a fast right-left chicane with a tight exit, while Turn 5 is a flat right-hander that leads to the slower chicane of Turns 6 and 7. The first DRS zone on the back straight takes the drivers toward Turns 8 and 9 which make up another faster chicane.

The drivers then barrell down toward the Turn 10 hairpin, the hardest braking zone on the track and the slowest corner. While overtakes aren’t uncommon here, the exit is vital as there are two DRS zones that follow. The first is on the long penultimate straight that leads into the infamous final chicane bordered by the Wall of Champions.

Pushing hard here is a must, but one slip and a driver’s day can instantly end. Both bravery and precision are required. Once the drivers survive that, they’re taken back onto the front straight to complete the lap.

One thing to note on the layout below is the location of the second DRS detection point. It comes well before the Turn 10 hairpin, and it gives the drivers DRS for each of the next two zones, which makes it even tougher for those defending their position.

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Image courtesy of F1

Points Standings

Driver Standings

  1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing – 170 points
  2. Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing – 117 points
  3. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin – 99 points
  4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes – 87 points
  5. George Russell, Mercedes – 65 points
  6. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari – 58 points
  7. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – 42 points
  8. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin – 35 points
  9. Esteban Ocon, Alpine – 25 points
  10. Pierre Gasly, Alpine – 15 points

Constructor Standings

  1. Red Bull Racing – 287 points
  2. Mercedes – 152 points
  3. Aston Martin – 134 points
  4. Ferrari – 100 points
  5. Alpine – 40 points
  6. McLaren – 17 points
  7. Haas – 8 points
  8. Alfa Romeo – 8 points
  9. AlphaTauri – 2 points
  10. Williams – 1 point

Predictions

Last year Fernando Alonso started on the front row alongside Max Verstappen but was quickly cast aside by faster cars. This year, in a stronger car, with the same wet conditions likely for qualifying, I think he can achieve that same feat but maintain his position.

That being said, overtaking Max Verstappen will be too great of a hurdle, so I’m looking for Verstappen to grab another victory in Montreal.

  1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
  2. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
  3. George Russell, Mercedes

How To Watch – F1 Candian Grand Prix (U.S. & U.K. times)

Featured Image: Scuderia Ferrari

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