Chaos during the Canadian Grand Prix, even dangerous: that is what Max Verstappen already warned about on Saturday after qualifying if it rains during the race. That chance is high, but there is more than that: what about the Mercedes battle axe that really hasn’t been buried yet? And: what can McLaren do? Time for the preview!
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Verstappen is realistic
He made no secret of it on Saturday: the setup with which Verstappen drove in qualifying (and thus also in the race) was not his choice. On the contrary, he would have preferred it differently, but the team did not want to listen to him. This means there is little hope for a good result from P6 in the race. Except if it rains perhaps? “Let’s first try to get the tires up to temperature then.”
Also read: Verstappen fears chaos and danger if it rains in Canada
Rain or not?
Will it rain or not? The forecasts for the race, which starts at 16:00 local time (22:00 Dutch time), are variable. Fifty-fifty or more than 60 percent chance? Time will tell. What is certain is that it will cause problems if it rains, exactly what Verstappen already warned about.
With a temperature expected to be around 12 degrees, it will be quite chilly during the race. That means it is even harder to get the tires up to temperature in the rain, and the intermediates do not help with that according to Pirelli. And the drivers’ experience with these cars in the rain? Indeed, zero, except for a rain test here and there. That promises spectacle. Or chaos. Or both.
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Also read: Verstappen’s F1 farewell still threatens
Mercedes controversy
Kimi Antonelli was furious with Mercedes teammate George Russell after the duel in the sprint race. The young Italian felt that the Englishman pushed him off the track in Montreal, Russell was unaware of any wrongdoing and cheerfully noted that he didn’t even get an investigation from the stewards for the duel. Afterwards, the two talked about it and the battle axe was buried. But of course, that is not the case at all, racers are racers and you can bet that Antonelli will go for a gap if there is one in a new duel today. Possibly resulting in an even harder clash than on Saturday.
The competition
McLaren might benefit from the Mercedes two-way fight. Not in pure speed, Lando Norris already admitted the day before the Grand Prix. But still, if something happens with Russell and/or Antonelli, it won’t be Verstappen, Hadjar, Leclerc or Hamilton who takes the spoils. No, given all the data and the drivers’ comments, McLaren believes that Norris or Piastri could very well be the dark horse in Canada.
And further…
…a lap is 4318 meters long
…Valtteri Bottas still holds the lap record (2019)
…there are 70 laps scheduled
…the first Canadian GP was already in 1978
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Read everything about the GP Canada here
