The fact that Max Verstappen (second) and George Russell (first) are lined up together on the front row in Canada means that many will be settling in for the start of the race with more popcorn than ever. However, expectations are so high that the duel could disappoint. There are other aspects you shouldn’t overlook for the GP Canada: we’ll list them for you.
Verstappen vs. Russell: Again!
Of course, we can’t – and don’t want to – ignore it: polesitter Russell taking on number two Verstappen at the start, especially considering the two gentlemen collided earlier this month in Spain and have had previous incidents. Add to this Verstappen’s license penalty points, and you have a potential boiling point in the making. The Dutchman himself is, understandably, fed up with questions about a possible suspension. And rest assured, he certainly doesn’t have Russell’s car in his sights as a torpedo in the first round.
Russell, on the other hand, is eager to win and has often tried to stand up to Verstappen both on and off the track. Moreover, after qualifying, he confidently stated that he “still has some penalty points to play with.” In short: the Brit is not going to step aside for Verstappen. But Verstappen, in turn, won’t deliver a blow; he’s going to keep his cool. So, the spectacle in the first round might not be as dramatic as expected.
Piastri: The Laughing Third?
The championship leader is having a difficult weekend in Canada. However, Oscar Piastri managed to perform when it mattered during qualifying, placing ahead of teammate and closest competitor Lando Norris. This provides Piastri with a perspective to pull ahead in the title race. Verstappen may be able to make up points on Sunday, but with a margin of 49, Piastri has no shortage of lead. Add to this the speed in the race: during the long runs in free practice, things looked good for McLaren on Friday.
Strategy: Two Stops and Which Tyre?
The remaining factor to consider is, of course, the strategy. This may be more decisive in Canada on Sunday than, for instance, a clash between Max Verstappen and George Russell in the opening phase. The strategy is more fluid than average in Canada this year. This is largely due to the extra soft tyres that Pirelli has brought to Montreal. It means that a two-stop strategy is expected instead of a one-stop, providing more tactical options for the teams.
Especially considering that the tyre allocation varies among many teams. For instance, Verstappen, Russell, and Antonelli have more medium tyres left, while McLaren and Ferrari only have one. However, that one is new, while the others have two used sets.
This is due to Saturday’s qualifying: in Canada, for example, Russell and Verstappen set their fastest time in Q3 on medium tyres, while many competitors in the top set theirs on soft. And yes… that tyre can also be used in the race, but according to Pirelli, this gamble may not immediately be successful. It might be worth a shot for those further down the grid. The main question is how the strategies at the front will differ between Verstappen, Russell, and the McLarens.
And Furthermore…
…the temperature in Montreal today will be 24 degrees Celsius and the chance of rain is 0 percent
…a lap is 4361 meters long
…there are 70 laps on the schedule
…based on recent history on this circuit, the chance of a safety car is 53 percent
