In a surprising twist, George Russell secured pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by setting an identical time of 1m12.000s. This marks the first time since 1997 that the top two qualifiers achieved the same time. The expected heavy rain only materialized as a light drizzle, resulting in all drivers using slick tires throughout the race. This result accurately reflects the performance of the Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren teams, with Lando Norris finishing just two hundredths of a second behind Russell.
One of the key factors in this story is the introduction of a new front wing on Russell’s car, which was also used by the two Mercedes drivers during the race weekend. This new wing was specifically designed to expand the range of setups for the W15, addressing the previous issue of having good rear grip at high speeds but understeering at low speeds, or vice versa. The Mercedes team was able to lower the car’s height, thanks to their better understanding of ground effect rules. However, this led to a new issue where the front wing became too powerful at high speeds. The new wing successfully solved this problem, but its effectiveness on different tracks is yet to be seen.
Despite the lack of preparation time due to Friday’s rain, the Mercedes car had an exceptionally good performance on the Montreal track. Both Russell and Lewis Hamilton achieved lap times in the range of 1m11s during Q2, an unmatched feat by any other driver. Russell’s pole time was set on used tires, with the expectation of improvement on his second attempt using new tires. However, track conditions worsened and increased wind affected tire performance. Despite these challenges, Russell expressed his satisfaction with the car’s performance throughout the weekend, highlighting the improved balance and positive impact of the new wing.
McLaren also showed a good performance during qualifying, with Norris trailing Russell by just two hundredths of a second. Oscar Piastri, who races for the team, finished in fourth place, only a tenth behind Norris. The McLaren car showed impressive speed in the middle sector of the track, but lagged behind in the first sector, where Red Bull excelled. Mercedes, on the other hand, showed strength throughout the track, especially on the long straight between the tight corner and the final chicane.
However, Ferrari faced challenges during qualifying, as neither Charles Leclerc nor Carlos Sainz were able to advance to Q3. The layout of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was not favorable for Ferrari’s power unit, which suits short bursts of racing better than sustained high speeds. Tires with temperatures below ideal at the start of the lap also complicated their difficulties. The smooth surface of the new track also presented challenges for Ferrari, catching them off guard.
Hamilton, who had shown an impressive performance during FP3, struggled during qualifying, finishing as the seventh fastest, behind Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso. Despite his good performance in the practice session, Hamilton noticed a sudden loss of grip during qualifying, which affected his performance. Comparing identical lap times of Russell and Verstappen in Q3, it is evident that Mercedes gains an advantage in acceleration zones, while Red Bull excels in corner entry. The differences can be attributed to the chosen wing levels and the shorter gear ratio of Mercedes, as well as possible differences in driving technique.
As the race approaches, the focus will shift to tire management, especially if the conditions remain dry. This aspect of the season promises to be captivating and unpredictable.
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