From the exotic and potentially chaotic circuit of Monaco, we head to the equally worthy Montreal track for the Canadian Grand Prix. There’s plenty of discussion about how both this year’s calendar and the following one for 2012 shape up, but for this weekend, our attentions can return to the racing action.
Event Schedule
One half of the McLaren team put up the best fight they possibly could around the principality, and still the race went towards Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel. His lead in the championship is getting bigger and bigger, but there is still time for a turnaround.
Aside from Red Bull, we’ll be looking for better weekends for McLaren and Ferrari, but also improved performances from Williams and perhaps Lotus, who must be making their way forward now.
| Date | Day | Session | Time (GMT+1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Jun | Friday | Free Practice 1 | 15:00 | |
| Free Practice 2 | 19:00 | |||
| 11 Jun | Saturday | Free Practice 3 | 15:00 | |
| Qualifying | 18:00 | |||
| 12 Jun | Sunday | Grand Prix | 18:00 |
Support racing for this event includes Formula 1600, Ferrari Challenge, Historic Grand Prix and Porshce IMSA GT3.
The Weather
Predicting the weather is never easy, predictably in a changeable climate like that in Montreal. At the moment, the long range forecasts suggest mostly rain, with perhaps some thunder, and just the occasional bout of sunshine.
- 20℃
- Low: 12℃
- Humidity: 46%
- Sunny
- 17℃
- Low: 12℃
- Humidity: 82%
- Light rain
- 16℃
- Low: 11℃
- Humidity: 94%
- Heavy rain showers
Circuit Map
The Circuit
| Name | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve |
| Location | Canada |
| Timezone | GMT -0400 |
| First Race | 1982 |
| Laps | 70 |
| Length | 4.361 km |
| Distance | 305.270 km |
| Start / Finish Offset | 0.000 km |
Canada will give us a glimpse of how the 2011 regulations will work out on a low downforce circuit, particularly as the new tyre compounds were modelled on this very event. Setup will be crucial, as the track features some super long straights, completely at odds with the Monaco race before it.
The atmosphere makes up for any shortfall in action, but as field spread is often low in Montreal, and overtaking was in existence before Pirelli got involved, there may not be any lulls on Sunday. We also have two DRS zones to keep an eye on, and with the aforementioned possibility of rain, it’s going to be a fascinating weekend.
| Session | Driver | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Practice 1 | Jenson Button | McLaren | 1:18.127 | |
| Free Practice 2 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | 1:16.877 | |
| Free Practice 3 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren | 1:16.058 | |
| Qualifying | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren | 1:15.105 | |
| Grand Prix | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren | 1:33:53.456 | |
| Fastest Lap | Robert Kubica | Renault | 1:16.972 |
Tyre Compounds
