2015 Track Preview; Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal

As Formula One heads to Canada for the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve this weekend, this is a popular race that many of the teams, drivers and the fans look forward to every year due to the challenges the track presents and also the weather too.

Pirelli have brought to Canada has the same tyre nomination as Monaco which is the soft and supersoft tyres but it is quite a different challenge. The track is a lot more demanding for tyres than Monaco, which should lead to a greater degree of wear and degradation.

Grip in Canada is generally low: especially at the start of the weekend when the track is 'green', because the former Olympic venue is not used extensively during the year. The low grip tends to continue into the race: one of the key reasons why so many drivers have acquainted themselves with the infamous 'wall of champions' – leading to incidents that can sometimes prompt a safety car.

Unlike Monaco, the cars tend to run low downforce in Montreal, in order to maximise their top speed of over 300kph on the straights. There are no really long corners in Canada: instead it is all about acceleration and braking, with the challenge for the brakes in particular having caught some teams out in the past.

The drivers must also be careful to avoid wheelspin, which can accelerate tyre wear. The biggest forces at work are longitudinal (acceleration and braking) rather than lateral (cornering) – and these are the factors that influence wear and degradation in Canada.

The nature of the track also means that there is more opportunity to use tyre strategy to gain track position, with a variety of different strategies in the mix last year. Although the demands on tyres are not especially high, due to a low-grip surface, there are some big kerbs that require a tough tyre structure and the kerbs are an important factor in Canada as the cars hit them at around 130kph and do test the tyre structures, while also the circuit is known for being famously hard on brakes.

Uncertain weather is often a factor at the semi-permanent track, which adds another element of unpredictability and we have seen races in the past few years like in 2011 when Jenson Button won in a mixed weather race and is one of the most remembered wins in the sport as a result of this.

Here are the facts and figures heading into the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend-

Facts and Figures

•Montreal has hosted the Grand Prix in Canada since 1961, even though the first Formula One race was in 1967.

•Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver to win the Grand Prix with seven wins.
•
Lewis Hamilton is the most successful current driver to win the Grand Prix with three wins.

•McLaren and Ferrari are the most successful constructors to win the Grand Prix with thirteen wins each.

•Race distance: 305.27km (189.69 miles)
•Number of turns:14
•Top speed: 315kph
•Lap record: Rubens Barrichello- Ferrari (2004)- 1.13.622

Winners from last 5 Canadian Grand Prix:-

•2010-Lewis Hamilton
•2011-Jenson Button
•2012-Lewis Hamilton
•2013-Sebastian Vettel
•2014- Daniel Ricciardo

My five things to look out for this weekend

1.Weather- As I have mentioned before, the weather can throw an surprise in Canada and if that is the case, we should see a good race throughout the field with drivers battling each other and while also managing their tyres too.

2.Tyre management- With the circuit not being used often, we could see the teams and the drivers struggle to bring the Pirelli compounds for this weekend up to the right working temperature. Tyre management could be crucial this weekend for a great result.

3.Upgrades- With Ferrari bringing a major upgrade package to Canada this weekend, all eyes will be upon them to see if they can continue to take the fight to Mercedes and become more competitive as a result. With the Ferrari team having a great start to the season so far, can they build upon what they have achieved this weekend?

4.Safety Cars- We have seen over the past few years that the safety car has made an appearance during the race. With the combination of the weather, tyres and also the challenges of the circuit generally, the safety car could make an appearance once again and give us another race to remember!

5.Performance of the Mercedes drivers- With Mercedes having dominated in Australia, having a “damage limitation” weekend in Malaysia and winning in China, Bahrain, Spain and Monaco; Mercedes are clearly still the favourites to retain both of their championships this season and winning at Montreal this weekend. But the real question is; will anyone be able to pose a challenge over the course of the weekend once again and be able to take the lead of the Driver's Championship away from Hamilton?

Sky Sports F1 are showing uninterrupted coverage of every Practice session, Qualifying and race for the Grand Prix (and every race of the season) and the
BBC also are showing coverage, details for both are below:-

•Sky Sports F1:- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 2.45pm and 6.45pm, [Replays throughout Friday], Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 2.45pm and 5.00pm,
[Replays throughout Saturday], Sunday (Race) 5.30pm

•*BBC*- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 2.45pm and 7.00pm, Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 2.45pm and 5.00pm, Sunday (Race and race highlights) 6.25pm and 12.30am

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa