The 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Champion moves on to Montréal, Canada, where F1 cars have not raced for two years.
Of course, we know that this has been as a result of various COVID-19 restrictions on travel, rather than lack of agreement on a contract.
A Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one that I personally look forward to, with the unforgiving walls surrounding the 2.7-mile layout, a mistake, in the wrong place, can be devastating to your race chances.
The infamous “Wall of Champions” is notorious and sits silently awaiting its latest victim. Of the current champions on the grid, only Sebastian Vettel has fallen foul of this trap, but with the 2022 cars a bit difficult in slow speed corners, we could easily see a new champion’s name join the list.
Ferrari have to win this weekend. Red Bull have won five on the trot, despite Charles Leclerc taking four straight poles.
Red Bull had their share of reliability issues but were running second in both races that Max Verstappen retired from, while Ferrari’s two Leclerc DNF’s have been whilst leading and certainly contending for the win.
The swing of points so far this season has been huge, in both championships. Remember after Australia, Leclerc had two wins and nearly a 50-point lead on defending champion Verstappen.
There is time still for everything to change again, but with Red Bull looking a good match for all circuits and tactically pin sharp, Ferrari have their work cut-out to claw back the deficit.
Canada is a prime location for momentum to shift. Odd things tend to happen in Montréal from time to time, such as Hamilton hitting Raikkonen in the pit lane in 2008, a race which was won by Poland’s Robert Kubica for BMW. It was his, and the team’s, sole F1 victory.
Other maiden wins include Hamilton himself, Jean Alesi and Daniel Ricciardo. A crazy race could give us another, with Sainz, Russell and Norris all hoping to be the next new F1 winner.
Play your cards right in Canada and stay out of trouble, you might just hit the jackpot.
Pole Winner – Max Verstappen
Rumours of Charles Leclerc taking a fourth turbo charger as part of his third set of power-unit components a running around the paddock. This would mean a 10-place grid penalty, which would hand pole position to the driver who qualifies second.
I’d like to see Carlos Sainz deliver on his promise in qualifying at times this season, but Max Verstappen is on top form and looks incredibly hard to beat at the moment. Perhaps the only thing that can stop Verstappen right now, is Verstappen himself.
Race Winner – Max Verstappen
Like I said earlier, Canada is a place where strange things can happen, all of which are fairly unpredictable.
If you had said in 2011 that Vettel would lead 99% of the race but Jenson Button would win, having been last with 20 laps to go, you’d have been accused of being a Hollywood film writer!
But the madness can take over in Montréal, so Verstappen will need his Red Bull team to be as sharp as ever on the pit wall.
Without any carnage, Red Bull’s package appears to be very well suited to the Ile Notre Dame circuit, which makes grim reading for those wanting another title fight to the last race of the season.
Race Podium
1st Place – Max Verstappen
2nd Place – Sergio Perez
3rd Place – Carlos Sainz
A 10-place grid drop for Leclerc will drop him to 11th on the grid at best, my big question is; will the Ferrari have the performance to carve its way through the midfield pack?
Bold Predictions
1. Home points for Lance Stroll
2. One Safety Car during the race
3. At least one Mercedes out before Q3
