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.
 
Nice one Olivier.

I am looking forward to this one, especially after Monaco.
Considering the abrasive nature of the surface, it will be interesting to see how the tyres hold up.

Perhaps it won't be a problem for Mercedes if they're not racing anyway, due to being banned from this season's championship :D
 
Such a cynic Brogan!!! :D
The Pirellis held up well here last year (a great 1/2 stop race where Hamilton could push for the win) so I don't think that tyres will be too much of an issue.
 
Let us not forget one that Montreal is also home to one of the most admirable obstacle a F1 driver can face: groundhogs! They were spotted last year and I believe Davidson ran over one in 2007 (I think the car was fine after nose replacement but the groundhog didn't fare well). Seriously, they're everywhere.
 
a race Red Bull have not won

2010 - lost out because their tyres did not last

2011 - Vettel choked on the last lap and Webber was hopeless in getting past Schumacher

2012 - Vettel and Red Bull went for a conservative strategy and bailed out
 
My favourite race of the year. Should have been going this year but couldn't afford it due to my friends wedding this year. Really hoping to make a trip over there one year though :).
 
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