| Like Monaco, Canada isn’t a conventional
racing circuit, and once more the three softest compounds in the P Zero
Formula 1 range have been selected: the hard is the C3, the medium is the
C4, and the soft is the C5. But that’s where the similarities end. The
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – named after Canada’s most celebrated driver –
holds a unique challenge, on only the second appearance this year for the
softest C5. |
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TRACK CHARACTERISTICS
- Montréal is a semi-permanent track with smooth asphalt, using roads in the
Parc Jean Drapeau that are open to the public for recreational activities
during the rest of the year. This means that it’s especially ‘green’ and
slippery at the start of the grand prix weekend, with a high degree of track
evolution as the surface gets rubbered in.
- Canada is all about traction and braking, so getting heat into the front
tyres is part of the challenge. There is no much run-off, so safety cars are
a reasonably common occurrence, which of course can affect strategy.
- Weather is variable, but cool temperatures and rain are quite common at
this time of the year (in 2011, red flag interruptions because of rain let
to the longest grand prix in F1 history, lasting more than four hours). As a
result of the cool weather and track conditions, some degree of graining can
be expected, especially at the start of the weekend.
- Unlike Monaco, there’s plenty of opportunity to overtake in Canada, with a
much higher average speed, long straights, and plenty of heavy braking
areas. This makes it a very tough circuit on brakes: something that the
teams always have to look out for.
- There was a mix of strategies used last year, with most drivers choosing a
one-stopper, also influenced by an early safety car. The top two at the end
(and on the grid) didn’t start the race on the softest available compound,
and that might be the case again this weekend. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
and Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) began on the ultrasoft – the approximate
equivalent of the current C4 – before switching to the supersoft, which has
been deleted from this year’s line-up. |
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MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF CAR
RACING
“Broadly speaking, our nomination for Canada is about the same as last year,
when the hypersoft also made its second appearance of the year after Monaco.
The main difference is that the hardest compound available this weekend is a
bit harder than last year, and there is no equivalent of the supersoft in
the 2019 range, so the choices are more spread out. While we have the same
nomination as Monaco, a few of the teams have compared Montréal more with
Baku – where we made a harder selection - because of the higher speeds,
longer straights, and the challenge of balancing tyre temperatures across
the front and rear of the car. Montréal is also a race that contains plenty
of variety, in terms of strategy, on-track action and weather. The teams
always go into it not knowing quite what to expect, so it’s especially
important to accumulate as much tyre data as possible in order to be able to
make an informed reaction to changing circumstances.”
OTHER PIRELLI NEWS
- Unlike Monaco, when the teams stocked up on the softest compound, the
harder compounds have also been selected for Montréal. In particular,
Ferrari has chosen five sets of the medium tyre: more than any other team on
the grid. This could indicate that some teams are planning to use these in
Q2 and to start the race.
- Canada is one of Pirelli’s two grand prix title sponsorships this year,
alongside France. The Italian firm will also be present at the official
Formula 1 Fan Festival, which takes place in Chicago on Saturday during the
Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
- Pirelli recently completed a successful two-day test of the 2020 prototype
wet weather tyres in Paul Ricard, France, with Ferrari and Red Bull. The
next (slick tyre) 2020 development test isn’t due to take place until after
the Austrian Grand Prix.
- Oliver Solberg, the 17-year-son of former World Rally Champion Petter
Solberg (who won his 2003 title with Subaru on Pirelli tyres) recently
became the youngest-ever overall winner of a FIA championship rally,
claiming the latest round of the European Rally Championship in Latvia, in a
Pirelli-equipped Volkswagen Polo R5. |
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