Thrilling qualifying in Montreal. George Russell’s pole place reveals that the potential Mercedes displayed on Friday was no flash within the pan, however reasonably the signal of a automotive completely suited to the curves and asphalt of the Canadian observe. Verstappen edges forward of a McLaren nonetheless tough to push to the restrict, regardless of modifications to the entrance suspension. The best remorse, nevertheless, belongs to Charles Leclerc, in a Ferrari that confirms progress in tyre utilization throughout qualifying.
Mercedes flash
In Canada, George Russell delivers the most effective qualifying classes of his profession. The Briton made probably the most of a automotive that has been robust over a single lap for the reason that begin of the season however appears reinvigorated in Montreal. The Brackley staff continues to level to the cooler temperatures as one of many components behind the W16’s spark—a automotive that, like its predecessors, thrives within the chilly. Nevertheless, it might be simplistic to attribute all the things to the climate, particularly contemplating that Saturday’s air and observe temperatures had been solely 8 and 5°C decrease, respectively, than these in Barcelona—hardly a large distinction.
Way more important is the temperature at which the tyres function. The brand new asphalt on the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit is extraordinarily clean, decreasing deformation and the warmth generated within the tyres—an necessary benefit for the Silver Arrows, which are likely to overheat them. The W16 additionally excels in Montreal’s sluggish corners, benefiting from a robust rear finish that gives good traction and braking stability. Additionally noteworthy is the event programme over the previous month: between the entrance wing launched in Imola, the ground updates in Barcelona, and the rear suspension introduced again for Canada, the automotive has been considerably remodeled. There are a lot of contributing components behind Mercedes’ glorious type in Montreal, however the pole place and Antonelli’s fourth place are above all the results of glorious execution by the staff and drivers.
Tyre issue
The Mercedes pit wall’s gamble to suit medium tyres for the decisive Q3 lap paid off. Just like what occurred in Imola, the softer compound (C6) gives the next grip peak however deforms extra underneath intense longitudinal hundreds in braking, offering much less confidence to drivers. Together with Russell and Antonelli, Alonso and notably Verstappen additionally selected the identical technique, with the Dutchman securing an surprising front-row spot. After Friday’s classes, Max Verstappen had said he didn’t even assume he’d be preventing the McLarens, solely to qualify forward of each. As soon as once more, in a single day simulator work helped dial within the setup, benefiting from the RB21’s good aerodynamic effectivity, notably worthwhile on Canada’s straights.
Selecting the C6 compound as an alternative led to each McLarens lacking out on the entrance row. The weekend had already began poorly for the Woking staff, with Norris calling it one in every of their worst Fridays of the yr—not for lack of tempo, however resulting from difficulties in placing all the things collectively. On Saturday, the reigning champions appeared in much better form, topping the occasions in FP3 and Q1. However when it got here time to push to the restrict, all of the MCL39’s dealing with points resurfaced. The modifications to the entrance suspension don’t appear to have sufficiently improved the texture from the entrance finish—limitations which might be particularly punishing on a braking-heavy observe like Montreal. Oscar Piastri couldn’t do higher than third, however Lando Norris suffered probably the most, qualifying seventh after a mistake on the closing chicane.
Ferrari’s remorse
Lewis Hamilton ends the day because the best-placed Ferrari driver, fifth and six-tenths off pole. The Brit appreciates the Canadian observe’s format, which lacks the quick corners the place the seven-time world champion struggles with Ferrari’s oversteer. In qualifying, he appeared extra snug with the SF-25 than on Friday, when adjustments made after the primary free observe session had shaken his confidence.
Way more frustration, although, for Charles Leclerc, who made a mistake whereas disturbed by the soiled air from Hadjar after setting the very best time within the first sector—till then, the a part of the observe the place each Ferraris had struggled most.
The frustration inside Ferrari, nevertheless, additionally displays a staff conscious that the automotive had the potential to safe second row—and even entrance row—positions. After Monaco and Barcelona, the Scuderia confirmed its progress in getting probably the most from the tyres over a single lap in Montreal as properly. Encouraging outcomes got here with a number of compounds very totally different from the earlier spherical, and on a observe the place it’s notoriously tough to stability temperatures throughout each axles. The aim for the upcoming races can be to transform these enhancements into higher Saturday outcomes, an important situation for constructing one thing significant on Sundays.
Looking forward to the race
Mercedes is now tasked with defending what it achieved in qualifying—sustaining observe place initially, then managing the tyres. The priority is overheating, a recurring concern for the W16 in races. The excellent news for the Silver Arrows is that this time the limiting issue doesn’t look like thermal degradation however reasonably rear-axle graining, which they need to attempt to keep away from by minimising traction slip.
The outlook is for a two-stop race, providing loads of alternatives for these chasing from behind—beginning with Verstappen, who appears to be like to be extra aggressive than ever.
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