Grand Prix 2013 Canadian Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

The Grand Prix du Canada has been part of the F1 calendar since 1967. First hosted alternatively between at Mosport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario (not far from Toronto) and Mont-Tremblant (sky paradise in Quebec) between 1967 and 1977 and then moved permanently to Montreal from 1978 onward. Among the races that took place in the early 70s, one of the most memorable has to be the Canadian Grand Prix in 1973, probably one of the craziest races of the 20th century; to this day the rightful winner is still in dispute. You can read an account of that eventful race here: http://8w.forix.com/cdn73.html.

Originally called Ile Notre Dame Circuit, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve debuted in the F1 calendar in 1978 and the Richelieu native of course took the honors and became its first winner (and to date only Canadian). Even though the track looked somehow unexciting compared to those of Mosport and Mont-Tremblant, it has nevertheless delivered some very exciting races.The 1991 race no doubt a memorable one for Piquet and Nigel Mansell. The British driver dominated the race and was so far ahead that he thought he would wave to the crowd to thank the support, only for his Williams’ to stall. His nemesis Piquet went through to win (his last career race by the way). Piquet was for sure excited as he reported after the race ended:

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In 1994, following the deaths of Ronald Ratzemberger, the Ayrton Senna at the Imola race track, the Droit du Casino curve was turned into a chicane. Michael Schumacher would win there for the first (but not last) time. He would go on to win 7 times there. However his dominance was interrupted in 1995 when Jean Alesi won, his one and only Grand Prix victory. It was a truly popular win, held the day of his 31st birthday sporting the number 27 on his Ferrari. It was so popular that mechanics from all teams came to congratulate him. A rare sight in modern F1 racing:

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And who can’t forget 2007, when a young Lewis Hamilton clinched his first F1 victory. However it was almost eclipsed by Takuma Sato’s probably best drive to date. Fighting and overtaking cars left and right and finishing 6th after a pit stop error. That was the same year when Robert Kubica had his horrific accident but walked away after. Unfortunately he wouldn't be so lucky in 2011 when he almost lost his life rally-racing. Some highlights of the race

After the hiatus that the race took in 2009, it came back in 2010 and it will continue for the foreseeable future to the benefit of Canadians and foreigners alike. This is the event the motorsport world looks up to Canada for some serious entertainment and this year promises to deliver an exciting race as we haven’t seen a clear pattern in terms of a dominating driver or team. Having said that, Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull continue to be the ones to beat at the end of the day and they have slowly but surely affirm themselves on the top spots as it seems there’s no clear challenger among the other drivers or teams.

 

[Jen]

What? I didn't hear it the first or second time.

 

[Bushi]

Didn't know there was a rule introduced to avoid cars standing next to each other in the pit lane. Again a stupid rule, imo i like seeing cars battle to get first at the track. Alonso-Schumacher magny-cours springs to mind.

 

[sushifiesta]

Actually I'd say that's a very sensible rule, to have the pit lane blocked is a safety issue. What is one of those cars set on fire and no one could get to it to put the fire out, or the drivers around the car couldn't get away quickly because of the surrounding cars?

 

[Kewee]

If Hamilton does stay with Vettel, does that proove beyond a doubt that Mercedes did, indeed, gain an advantage from their "secret" test with Pirelli?

Not at all. The Mercedes has proven to be very quick on fresh rubber, their pace drops off dramatically due to their rapid tyre wear. They got away with it in Monaco when Rosberg was able to set a slow pace and save his tyres without the fear of anyone overtaking. Montreal is also light on tyres so for that reason also, it won't tell us whether they've made a gain, we will need to wait until Silverstone for an indication.

 

[Jen]

sushifiesta, do you work in health and safety by any chance?

 

[Bushi]

sushifiesta: Can't remember when the last time was when a car was set on fire apart from when they did refueling. And even so, when two cars are standing next to each other there is always a way to get to the car that is on fire, either the left or the right.

Kewee: Isn't montreal hard on the tyres because of the track surface? Wasn't that why the Bridgestones melted like butter in 2010?

 

[The Artist.....]

Kewee Bushi

In the past, Montreal has caused rubber to disintegrate faster than you can say "accidental pregnancy" - however, last year, all of the front runners managed to make it through the race on 2 stops, with some teams also managing to make it through with just 1! But contrast that with 2007 and 2010, where tyres were falling to pieces left, right and centre, even leading to the embarrassing situation of Fernando Alonso, in a McLaren being overtaken by Takuma Sato in a Super Aguri!!!

 

[Kewee]

Bushi......My understanding is the track is light on tyres which led to the problems in the past with teams trying to get away with one pitstop. They recognized the track gave them the opportunity to try for a one stop strategy but it turned out to be optimistic by about five laps. I think you'll find there's been significant resurfacing in some of the braking zones also.

 

[sushifiesta]

Bushi Ok, but it's more difficult. And in the event that the Safety/Medical car had to get out on track having the exit blocked would also be an issue. All I'm saying is that there probably is a reason for that rule to be in place, it's not just mindless regulation.

 

[Kewee]

It will be interesting to see what the commentators say about tyre wear during the race. I'm trying to track down where I sourced my information. I'll apologize now if I'm wrong. Starting to blush already.

 

[Bushi]

sushifiesta: Yeah your right the FIA doesn't have mindless regulations.

Kewee: If they where thinking of doing one stop and they are through their tyres after 5 laps you might wonder what they have been doing friday and saturday.

 

[F1ang-o]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107976
Revised Grid ....after penalties

 

[Kewee]

Bushi.....My comment referred to last year when the tyres were less fragile. McLaren had decided on a two stop strategy, Vettel and Alonso were trying for a one stopper which didn't pay off. They both dropped of a cliff in the closing laps while Hamilton cruised to the win. Alonso looked like he was going to win it but he finished 5th.

 

[The Artist.....]

It looks like rain... The BBC is forecasting heavy rain showers at race time today.... :/

On that note, all the teams in Q3 will basically have no tyres left for the race today.... All of the intermediates were already looking pretty second hand when they came off in qualifying! Could be an interesting race - with an unexpected winner..... - not least because parts of the circuit steadfastly refuse to dry up here, so teams could find themselves wearing through inters very quickly!

 

[Brogan]

The rules need rewriting if those drivers who qualified best no longer have enough tyres to complete the race.

 

[F1Yorkshire]

What would happen if the teams don't have enough tyres to race safely? Can they claim force majure and get extra sets from Pirelli for all teams? We wouldn't want another Indy 2005

 

[Brogan]

Presumably the FIA would refuse on the grounds that all teams are given an equal allocation and they know what it is prior to the start of each GP weekend.

Of course, those drivers who perform better in qualifying are always punished when it comes to tyres so this is nothing new.

It would make a mockery of the rules though if the top drivers had to basically stop racing or use tyres which are unsuitable for the conditions.

 

[Fenderman]

They've been very close to this situation a few times over the years. Critics of the limits on wet weather tyres have often pointed out that a whole weekend of mixed conditions could lead to teams having no adequate tyres for a race. It's not hard to imagine a 2005 Indy GP scenario where teams have no tyres left to safely race on just have to close the garage shutters.

Tyres now dominate every area of F1, from their foot-print on the track to the political arena of Test-gate and the International Tribunal. Just to cap that off they promise to give us a crazy mixed up Grand Prix where all of the effort and work of designers, engineers, strategists and drivers is blown to the weeds because they're not allowed enough tyres for the main event. Brilliant.

Edit: F1Yorkshire and Brogan gpt on there before me!

 

[Jos the Boss]

Could Pirelli give them all a new set of inters?

 

[Galahad]

Would be interesting to know how many "spare" tyres Pirelli take to Grand Prix weekends. I would hazard to guess, not enough to give everyone an extra set.