2017 Canadian Grand Prix track preview

Expect the lap time improvement from F1’s new-generation cars to be less than spectacular at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

Why? Because the downforce gains from the 2017 machines have made them considerably quicker on tracks with lost of medium-to-high speed bends, but the increased drag carries a penalty on the straights. That’s partly why cars were 3.7 seconds quicker in Shanghai compared to last year but just 0.7s faster in Bahrain.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has a few quick bends but with 72% of the lap distance spent at full throttle the drag penalty from this year’s bigger wings – plus those enormous tyres – will be felt more keenly.

The Isle Notre Dame course offers little room for error. That combined with its high speeds give it an old-fashioned appeal which is not lost on the sport’s newest driver, Lance Stroll.

“I grew up about 20 minutes away from the race track so this will be something special and not many people will get to experience that feeling,” said the man who will start his first home race this weekend.

“As a kid I attended the race pretty much every year, then missed a few years while living in Europe, but was back there last year. For me it is a pure racing event. It is not the flashiest grand prix, as the paddock is small, but it is cool, unique and old-school.”

Go ad-free for just £1 per month

>> Find out more and sign up

“The fans are really close to the track, the grandstands are huge and the run off areas are not massive, but I love that and hope it doesn’t change.”

Plenty of drivers with more experience of the circuit concur. “I think the sport needs more tracks similar to Montreal where mistakes are punished,” says Sergio Perez. “These old-school tracks excite the drivers and fans, and usually produce entertaining races.”

A lap of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Perez describes a lap of the Montreal track as “all about being late on the brakes and aggressive through the chicanes – you have to be precise too with the walls so close to the track.”

The first braking point on the lap is one of the more forgiving in terms of run-off, though Perez’s 2014 race ended violently at this spot when he tangled with Felipe Massa.

“It’s tricky braking with a lot of front locking,” explains Romain Grosjean.”You’re straight into turn two – a very bumpy hairpin.”

The rapid, barrier-lined sequence of bends which follows has a tendency to catch out inexperienced drivers, particularly at turns three and four. “You use a lot of the kerb and have to be careful on exit because of the wall,” says Grosjean. “Then it’s another left and right corner with tricky braking. You come from the right-hand side corner flat out, and then there’s a long throttle application with a lot of G-force.”

The straight which follows is one of four points on the track where the cars exceed 300kph. “Then you brake for turns eight and nine,” says Grosjean. “Under the bridge, it’s very bumpy. It’s not so easy to get the grip of the car there.”

Past the scene of Robert Kubica’s fearful crash ten years ago, the drivers arrive at the hairpin where the pits and start/finish line were originally located. In 2002 the approach to the hairpin was shortened to create more run-off.

“Very big braking there,” Grosjean explains. “You try to carry some minimum speed and not lose too much time. You then need a good throttle application.”

Cars build to top speed as they approach the final chicane and the notorious ‘Wall of Champions’, which has been slightly re-aligned for 2017. “You really want to brake as late as possible and carry as much speed as possible through that tricky part.”

2017 Canadian Grand Prix

• 2017 Canadian Grand Prix Predictions Championship results
• Hamilton takes first Driver of the Weekend win of 2017
• Canadian GP rated highly despite no fight at the front
• 2017 Canadian Grand Prix team radio transcript
• 2017 Canadian Grand Prix Star Performers

Browse all 2017 Canadian Grand Prix articles