The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada is a high-speed, 4.361 km track featuring long straights, chicanes, and the famous "Wall of Champions." It's known for exciting races and challenging drivers with its mix of fast sections and technical corners. This is a race where pit strategy and reaction to the circuit conditions is crucial.

Max Verstappen won the 2023 Canada GP with Alonso 2nd and Hamilton 3rd. Red Bull dominated the race however I think we are hoping that is coming to an end. Wet conditions added drama and challenges, affecting tire choices and strategy.

Sector Breakdown

Sector 1
The lap begins on the shortest straight of the track and immediately leads into a slight right-hand curve however you can still carry flat through. In turn 1, a sharp left bend, is the first heavy breaking point . They can slightly use the curb to approach corner 2 in a better position.

Corner 2 has a late apex and traction is important on the exit if too deep into the corner the exit is late as there will be difficulty straightening the wheel.

After passing the second corner there is a short straight that guides the drivers into a series of rather fast corners. This will test the limit of how close Drivers can get to the barriers especially on the entrance and exit of Turn 4.

Sector 2
The second sector of the Canadian track begins with a strong braking point followed by a left to right (Corner 6 & 7) sequence that could cause some oversteer and throw the backend out.

After these two corners drivers approach the 2nd DRS zone it is a relatively short straight however with corner 6 & 7 being tricky a great exit assisted with DRS could certainly get that overtake completed.

The straight finishes how it started with a fast right to left (Corner 8 & 9). Here drivers will need to utilise every part of the track, slightly cutting the chicane to carry as much speed as possible on the exit in to the following straight.

Sector 3
The final section of the track opens just before the hairpin at turn ten. Very high speed into the very demanding braking point as the driver will want to be in 2nd year ready to get a great exit onto the straight and last DRS zone.

Traction is crucial to exit the hairpin as early as possible and a stablise the car down the straight ready for turn 13. It is essential to approach corner 13 well in order to exit turn 14 correctly. This is where the Wall of Champions is located. Many drivers have been victim to the Wall of Champions it takes no prisoners. The closer you get to it the more significant advantage to complete the lap faster. However there is no budge in that wall.

I would say it is highly likely someone will cause some damage there over the weekend. It is also the race that has ended under safety car the most times tied with Melbourne.

Analysis - Canada GP 2023

Last year we had a mixture of 1 stop and 2 stop races. Strolls aggressive early pit triggered those around him to have to pit early to avoid the undercut. Some didn’t react, those being the Ferrari’s, Perez and Bottas. This actually worked out favourably for them as later in the race there was rainfall. Although it was not wet enough for the Inters/Wets a most teams thought a new set of slicks with the need for higher grip was now necessary.

Those that extended their first stint maintained their great track position with fresher tyres. Alternatively Albon kept his hard tyre for the rest of the race, only pitting once and the Williams scored some great points. I think Strolls early pit was the catalyst for making a 1 stop race a 2 stopper.

This year the tyre choice will likely be the same however as seen below there seems to be rain across the weekend in Montreal this could making the race very interesting and possibly have a mixture on Slicks and Wet tyres.

Watch Last Years Highlights

Standings

Heading in to the Canadian Grand Prix weekend Leclerc is now 31 points behind Verstappen and Ferrari are pressuring RedBull only trailing by 24. Hopefully this close battle remains throughout the season and it wasn’t just a little hiccup for RedBull.

News Podium

1 - Ocon and Alpine have decided to part ways at the end of the season. However what will happen to Ocon? Read More

2 - Perez to stay with RedBull until 2026 Read More

3 - Canadian GP: What now in F1 2024 after Red Bull's 'big weakness' exposed. Read More

Race Weekend

Lights Out!