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.

Session Timetable
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.

Friday, 10 June

  • 20℃
  • Low: 12℃
  • Humidity: 46%
  • Sunny
Saturday, 11 June

  • 17℃
  • Low: 12℃
  • Humidity: 82%
  • Light rain
Sunday, 12 June

  • 16℃
  • Low: 11℃
  • Humidity: 94%
  • Heavy rain showers

Circuit Map

The Circuit

Circuit Data
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.

 

2010 Results
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