Sebastian Vettel has pulled 25 points clear of Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ championship.
Can the Mercedes driver master his recent tyre troubles and hit back? Here are the talking points for the Canadian Grand Prix.
Have Mercedes sussed the ultra-softs?
Or perhaps that should read ‘has Lewis Hamilton sussed the ultra-softs’, as he was the only Mercedes driver who failed to reach Q3 in Monaco. He’s been back to the team’s base for an in-depth investigation because the team will be using the tyres again this weekend and they will return in Austria soon afterwards.
The problems Hamilton has experienced are bound up in the complexities of car set-up, suspension stiffness and Pirelli’s varying tyre pressure limits. But it comes down to a question optimising tyre temperature, something several teams have struggled with, and a problem Ferrari seems to have mastered better than others.
The Montreal track poses a particular problem when it comes to tyre temperatures as its many long straights give them ample opportunity to cool between corners. Hitting the W08’s narrow sweet spot may prove tricky again this weekend.
Hamilton has two strong suits in his hand, however. They are the superior grunt of his Mercedes power unit and his expertise at a track where he has won five of the last nine races.
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Can Vettel keep his streak going?
Finishing every race in the top two is the irresistible combination of strong finishes and consistency which world championships are made of. Sebastian Vettel knows that – he’s already got four of them – and he’s played the long game well so far.
Canada hasn’t always been his best track: three poles (during the zenith of Red Bull’s dominance) but just one win hint at missed opportunities. But his shot at victory last year was blown by a dodgy Ferrari strategy call.
Despite Ferrari’s strong start to the season they haven’t managed back-to-back wins yet. Indeed it’s something they’ve gone without since the back end of 2010.
Will Red Bull slip into the midfield?
The Red Bulls have been racing in a pack by themselves for much of the season so far, behind Mercedes and Ferrari but clear of the rest. Will their compromised straight-line speed allow the likes of Williams, Haas and Force India to bring them within range in Canada?
2016 Ferrari vs 2017 Honda
Honda went into 2017 saying they would quickly be at the level of last year’s Mercedes. That has proved wildly optimistic. Instead McLaren are sparring with Sauber and their year-old Ferrari power units.
How will the pair compare down Montreal’s long straights? The speed trap figures may make painful for reading in Sakura this weekend.
Time for Stroll to step up
Stroll’s qualifying runs have been a particular concern so far: they’ve tended to be too far off the pace or result in accidents. Keep a close eye on his progress during second practice on Friday.
This has been a good track for Williams in recent years. With Mercedes power and a low-drag car they’ve taken podiums in the last two seasons. That may be too much to hope for this weekend but if Stroll can pull it all together a points finish should be possible.
Are you going to the Canadian Grand Prix?
If you’re heading to Canada for this weekend’s race, we want to hear from you.
Who do you think will be the team to beat in the Canadian Grand Prix? Have your say below.
And don’t forget to enter your predictions for this weekend’s race. You can edit your predictions until the start of qualifying:
2017 Canadian Grand Prix
- 2017 Canadian Grand Prix Predictions Championship results
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- Canadian GP rated highly despite no fight at the front
- 2017 Canadian Grand Prix team radio transcript
- 2017 Canadian Grand Prix Star Performers
Miltiadis (@miltosgreekfan)
7th June 2017, 15:21
This might be Mercedes best chance for 1-2,both of their drivers are super quick in Canada & the car/engine was pretty quick there in the recent 3 years.Lets see how all teams cope with the brake temperatures here.It has been a big issue for many top runners since 2014
Chinmay
8th June 2017, 7:35
“both of their drivers are super quick in Canada”
As if other drivers are slow there, a World Champion is fast everywhere, Hamilton might have 5 wins there but that doesn’t give him any sort of advantage over other drivers like Vettel who can be fast anywhere.
But I also believe Montreal will probably be a Mercedes 1-2 not because of their drivers but because of superior Mercedes power.
Loup Garou (@loup-garou)
8th June 2017, 9:27
I think that is the most likely result but I would not count out Vettel’s Ferrari yet. Last year, driving a car that was significantly inferior to the Mercs, he was in the running till some strategic mistakes by the team. If Ferrari have learned from that and having a better car this season, Vettel might get into the mix with the Mercs up front.
Miltiadis (@miltosgreekfan)
8th June 2017, 10:16
Its obvious that all drivers are quick in every track,just the record that the Mercedes duo has in Canada,is much much better than the others.There are track were some drivers are “specialists” & both Mercedes guys are “specialists” in Canada.
erikje
7th June 2017, 15:41
A very brake sensitive track and a Haas.. you need very big balls to drive that car at the moment.
Let’s hope Stroll does not stroll around the track to much.
A mobile Williams chicane for now.
Arad (@just-an-fan)
7th June 2017, 17:19
Only RG
Sviatoslav (@)
7th June 2017, 17:27
No.
Fukobayashi (@)
8th June 2017, 9:34
COTD.
Fireblade
7th June 2017, 20:36
I predict a close race between Mercedes and Ferrari with the outcome decided, once again, by the timing of the safety car(s).
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
7th June 2017, 21:25
I don’t know if it will be the case or not but I somehow feel Mercedes should be stronger than Ferrari here. And I also think Hamilton and Bottas are extremely good here and this should help the team. Bottas already has a couple of podiums as well as a brilliant qualifying in a poor car in 2013.
Loup Garou (@loup-garou)
8th June 2017, 9:31
Now he has a very good car to which he seems better adjusted that his more experienced teammate. Bottas might be the favourite for Pole Position on Saturday.
Todfod (@todfod)
8th June 2017, 6:42
I think the fact the Lewis and Valterri both really perform well on this track should keep Mercedes in the hunt for a win or maybe even a 1-2. Lewis generally bounce back pretty strong after a disappointing result, so I’m really looking forward to this race weekend.
Should be an interesting battle between Red Bull and Williams as well. Curious to see if Stroll finally gets points this weekend… or if he manages to make an ass of himself in some spectacular fashion.
I’m not looking forward to McLaren Honda this race weekend. I expect a lot of GP2 comments and a lot of frustration from both McLaren drivers when they find out that they can’t keep a Sauber behind them.
OMAMTOM
8th June 2017, 10:20
I don’t know if it will be the case or not but I somehow feel Mercedes should be stronger than Ferrari here. And I also think Hamilton and Bottas are extremely good here and this should help the team. Bottas already has a couple of podiums as well as a brilliant qualifying in a poor car in 2013.
Richard (@)
8th June 2017, 16:49
Canada is a PU race and Mercedes has great PU’s. They should as they have ( some say ) been developing their hybrid power since 2000.
So I expect Hamilton to do well ,probably P1 for the same reason he has done so well since 2014 : a truly great car.
Bottas will do well also ,probably P2 but, if he gets the pole I think he’ll hold on to that spot . He’ll place well for the same reason Hamilton has built up so many wins : Mercedes’ willingness to spend big bucks to be on top of F1.
I know Ferrari is leading both point contests but, I think that their luck is due to run out and I don’t think Kimi’s heart will be in it after Monaco.
I think that Vettel and Raikonnen are better that Hamilton and Bottas but, this is F1 where your car is 9/10th of your race and you know that those 1,500 people in Brackley were all working overtime since the last race.
Mercedes 1-2 ,who is P1 and who is P2 I can’t say until after Q3 .
Loup Garou (@loup-garou)
8th June 2017, 17:59
Luck? Vettel won those races by skill and hard work, not luck. If luck had favoured him, he would have won in China and Spain too where the Safety Car or the VSC timing went against him.
And, if Raikkonen’s “heart is not with it” after Monaco or anything else, he has no business to be on the grid. He came second in Monaco because he was not good enough to win it. Period.
You may be well right about Mercedes’ advantage in Monaco and Ferrari might well have to look at damage limitation by trying to place Vettel in P3 for the race. As for the first 2 places, I have a feeling that Bottas will be faster than Hamilton here but whether he will be allowed to take victory is another question.
But it is way too soon to make predictions about the entire season. Ferrari might be able to match Mercedes on several other circuits.