Drivers and groups might want to work out learn how to get the greatest out of Pirelli’s softest compounds on the resurfaced Gilles Villeneuve track as the Milan-based tyre producer has elected to convey the three compounds of the gentle finish of its five-compound vary. F1Technical’s senior author delivers his tyre preview.
Formula 1 returns to North America after two European rounds in Imola and Monaco. The Canadian Grand Prix due to this fact means a change of continent nevertheless it’s a case of established order in terms of tyre compound alternative for the ninth spherical of the season, as a result of the race in Montreal might be the third in a row to function the three softest compounds in the 2024 vary, particularly the C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium and C5 as Soft.
Engineers will be capable of construct their setup decisions on the information they gathered in the final two years as it will likely be the third time that Pirelli has nominated the three softest compounds for the semi-permanent circuit of Montreal that was constructed on the man-made island of Notre-Dame, initially created for Expo ’67.
As far as the track traits are involved, the 4.361km track has considered one of the lowest common speeds of the season. The format options six left-hand corners and eight to the proper. Stability below braking and traction popping out of the chicanes and the slowest corners, which embrace the hairpin main onto a really lengthy straight, are the keys to being aggressive, as is a automotive that may change route rapidly.
Unlike the earlier cease on the calendar in Monaco, overtaking is feasible right here, particularly at the finish of the straight resulting in the closing chicane, the exit to which options the “Wall of Champions,” thus named after three world champions, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, all ended their races there in 1999, crashing into the wall on the exterior of the flip.
F1 returns to North America after two European rounds. The Canadian GP due to this fact means a change of continent nevertheless it’s a case of established order in terms of tyre compound alternative, as a result of it will likely be the third in a row to function the three softest ones in the vary (C3, C4 and C5). pic.twitter.com/PBdfUlydjw
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) June 3, 2024
The whole track has been resurfaced for this 12 months and the kerbs have been changed. On paper, the track’s current traits of low abrasiveness and due to this fact lowered grip ought to stay the identical, however the actual indications must wait till the Pirelli engineers perform their first measurement exams on Wednesday.
For most of the 12 months, the track is barely utilized by individuals on foot or cyclists and so lap occasions typically drop considerably as the automobiles rubber-in the floor. Graining may also happen, particularly on Friday and notably with the softer compounds. The tyres are subjected to very low lateral forces, though the longitudinal ones are higher, however general, Montreal is considered one of the best tracks of the season on tyres.
As for the technique, the Canadian Grand Prix can throw up some surprises. Pirelli will convey the three softest compounds, however one-stop may nonetheless be a viable choice as proven final 12 months. However, the quick pit lane usually motivates drivers to pit twice and attempt to profit from the contemporary tyres.
In final 12 months’s race, all three dry compounds got here into play with a mixture of methods with some drivers, together with the three who completed on the podium, going for a two-stop whereas others pitted simply the as soon as, attempting to elongate the opening stint as a lot as potential. One has to consider that the Safety Car is a frequent customer and {that a} longer first stint due to this fact provides the greatest likelihood of minimising time misplaced altering tyres.
The climate, all the time very changeable in June, typically performs its half in the Quebec occasion. A chilly, wet, windy day, will be adopted by sunshine and heat, however temperatures may even differ significantly in the house of in the future. The present prediction is that rain would possibly make an look throughout the race weekend, however it isn’t certain the way it will affect the varied periods.
