2008 Canadian GP preview: predictions
It looks like being nip and tuck between Ferrari and McLaren for victory at Montreal this weekend. And BMW might be in the mix with surprised championship contender Robert Kubica a candidate for victory at the track where he crashed heavily last year.
Who’s going to win the Canadian Grand Prix? These are my picks – make your predictions below.
Montreal was the scene of Lewis Hamilton’s maiden victory last year. It was exactly the type of circuit that played into McLaren’s hands with short corners and bumpy kerbs.
This year that picture seems to have changed. Ferrari’s pace in qualifying at Monte-Carlo, rumoured to be the result of their adoption of a ‘J-damper’ similar to what McLaren used last year, suggests they will not be anything like as far off the pace as they were last year.
Ferrari too have had excellent straight-line speed all year and it’s these two things that make me think they will be the team to beat this weekend.
But which of the Ferraris will be ahead? Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen have beat each other in three of the six races so far. Last year Massa headed an out-of-sorts Raikkonen before the Brazilian was disqualified. Both these drivers can be hard to read but I think Massa’s confidence high will give him the advantage.
McLaren aren’t going to be far behind though, and BMW will be in the mix and ready to pounce should the cars fall their way in a safety car period (there hasn’t been a Canadian Grand Prix without one since 2004).
I think we’ll see Massa on top with Hamilton leading the chase for McLaren. But Heikki Kovalainen’s going to be very close behind – he was in excellent form here last year. And I know I’ve said this before, but surely his luck has to change soon?
The second Ferrari will be third, but this could all change depending on whether there’s an unusual safety car period, and which Kimi Raikkonen shows up:
1. Felipe Massa
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Heikki Kovalainen
What’s your prediction for the top three in the Canadian Grand Prix? No one got the prediction right for Monaco but Cyanide came closest by accurately picking the top two.
Follow the Canadian Grand Prix live on F1 Fanatic. Join us for live discussion and polls during the Canadian Grand Prix qualifying session and race:
Rabi said on 6th June 2008, 18:44
I predict that Max will turn up and the Canadian motoring association will pull the plug on the event…
Arun said on 6th June 2008, 21:10
1. Massa
2. Kubica
3. Heikki
Wesley said on 6th June 2008, 21:39
1.Kimi
2.Lewis
3.Robert
…and if it rains..Sutil will come from the back of the pack and collect the points Kimi owes him.
Martin L said on 6th June 2008, 21:41
I will bet on Kubica, he has the momentum now (places 2,3,4,4,2). It seems to be wet race and thus, probably, a few SCs, so anything could happen (and probably will).
Massa takes pole.
1. Kubica
2. Massa
3. Alonso
Nick said on 6th June 2008, 21:49
1. Heidfeld
2. Kimi
3. Kov
2008 Wall of champions:
Massa
Hamilton
Fisi.
Martin B said on 6th June 2008, 21:59
Montreal doesn’t reward on-the-limit driving, so Massa to crash, and:
1. Raikkonen
2. Hamilton
3. Kubica
al said on 6th June 2008, 22:04
Quali:1.kimi
2.kubica
3.Hamilton
race:1.hamilton
2.kubica
3.kimi
wall of champions:button
kovy
frecon said on 6th June 2008, 23:04
1) Kimi
2) Massa
3) Kubica
jae said on 6th June 2008, 23:17
Qualifying:
1. Massa
2. Hamilton
3. Räikkonen
Race:
1. Hamilton
2. Massa
3. Rosberg
F1Fan said on 7th June 2008, 1:26
(1) Kimi – he was on the pace early on in P2 and took time to do set-up work rather than go for a super-quick lap
(2) Kubica – may get pole, plus revenge for last year’s crash
(3) Hamilton – no rain, no win
Massa is in trouble here, not his style of circuit, doesn’t have the consistent accuracy needed to be on the podium in CGV
theRoswellite said on 7th June 2008, 5:13
As it must happen sometime………..for Robert K and BMW.
Bucks-of-wash allows:
1) Kubica
2) Hamilton
3) Raikkonen
(Otherwise..LH, KR, PM.)