(Photo Credit: @F1 on Twitter)
After two long years, Formula One fans in Canada can rejoice as racing returns to Montreal for Round Nine of the 2022 World Championship season at the famed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the Canadian Grand Prix. Entering this race, many are saying that the championship fight will come down to Team Red Bull as both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez can extend their lead in both the drivers and constructors standings after unfortunate mishaps to Ferrari over the past month. Can Ferrari bounce back at the famed power circuit or will Red Bull continue to check out? All that and more in our Formula One race preview.
Track Preview: Located on Montreal's Ile Notre-Dame (which was also host the the 1967 World's Fair), The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a 2.71 mile hybrid road course that has six left and eight right-hand turns that make up the fourteen turn road course. Along with hosting the Canadian Grand Prix, the circuit has hosted the FIA World Sportscar Championship, Champ Car, NASCAR Pinty and Xfinity Series, and the WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.
Event History: Even though the event has been around since 1961, the first FIA sanctioned Canadian Grand Prix was held in 1967 when the famed Jack Brabham took home the victory at Mosport Park. From 1967 to 1977, the event bounced back and forth between Mosport and Mont-Tremblant. Since 1978, Montreal has been host to the event and has been a mainstay on the Formula One calendar ever since. Lewis Hamilton is tied with Michael Schumacher with the most wins all-time at the event with seven while Ferrari has the most wins by a constructor with fourteen. Only four active drivers have won at Montreal. (Hamilton, Vettel, Ricciardo, and Alonso)
2019 Event: Sebastian Vettel started on pole for the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix while Lewis Hamilton was in second. It was a battle between the two for most of the day until lap 48. Heading into Turn Three, Vettel went through the grass missing Turn Four. While rejoining, Hamilton had to check up to avoid a collision between the two. Vettel was handed a five-second time penalty and was trying to build a gap between him and Hamilton to keep the lead, but unfortunately it did not happen as the margin of victory was only 1.3 seconds. Thus giving the win to Lewis Hamilton.
Tire Allocation: C1 -> C5 (Hardest to Softest)
Hard: C3
Medium: C4
Soft: C5
Weather: Rain is expected for Friday and Saturday, so expect wet conditions to impact practice and qualifying. On race day, expect clear skies with highs in the low 70s.
Driver Standings: Top 3
Max Verstappen - 150
Sergio Perez - 129
Charles Leclerc - 116
Constructor Standings:
Red Bull Racing RBPT - 279
Ferrari - 199
Mercedes - 161
TV Schedule: (Times are in EST)
Friday, June 17th - Free Practice 1 at 1:00 P.M.
Friday, June 17th - Free Practice 2 at 4:00 P.M.
Saturday, June 18th - Free Practice 3 at Noon
Saturday, June 18th - Qualifying at 3:00 P.M.
Sunday, June 19th - Canadian Grand Prix at 1:00 P.M. on ABC