Canada gp preview: the most anticipated race in three years…
Formula One heads to Montreal for the round 9 of the championship, with the excitement at an all time high since 2022. This is the first time since 2021 where you genuinely cannot predict the winner comfortably, with three teams set to fight for first!
Favourites for the weekend: McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari
The top 3 favourites are likely to remain the same for the rest of the season, with all three looking at least a step ahead of the rest of the field. Despite this, the favourite team is currently interchanging between the three constantly. This weekend, it would appear that McLaren have the race pace advantage compared to Ferrari and Red Bull, with they papaya team having tremendous straight line speed as well as the best aerodynamic efficiency. This is crucial for a traditional/conventional circuit like Canada. Canada is also known for containing plenty of bumps within the track, a “recently found out” flaw which Red Bull’s car contains, with no repair currently possible. For the Red Bull to gain maximum performance, a stiff suspension is necessary, with a low ride height. As soon as a bump hits this car, it becomes practically impossible to drive, even for current World Champion Max Verstappen. Ferrari could have the potential to be strongest this weekend, with their impressive driveability being the best car over bumps. However, Imola exposed a straight line speed issue for the Scuderia. Canada contains two crucial straights, both with overtaking opportunities, meaning McLaren with have the edge come race day.
Miami is the closest track layout to Montreal, of what F1 has raced so far in 2024, which is where Lando Norris memorably took his maiden win, completely out-pacing Verstappen in the second part of the race. Are they set for a repeat this weekend?
Rain is also forecast in Montreal this weekend, another factor where McLaren have shown their strongest, when Norris put his car on pole (or whatever it’s known as) in the wet sprint quali session in China. It almost seems to be good to be true for Norris and McLaren, or can Piastri get his maiden win…