Mercedes head to Canada having dominated the opening six races of the 2019 F1 season but team principal Toto Wolff is expecting a challenging weekend in Montreal.
The Silver Arrows’ boss says the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve could favour rivals Ferrari. Last year Sebastian Vettel took pole and secured victory for the Scuderia.
Wolff said: “Canada is the seventh race of the season and we are beginning to see more clearly the strengths and weaknesses of our car.
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“In the past six races, we were very strong in the corners but lost time on the straights. This will make Canada a huge challenge for us as the track characteristics could favour our opponents - there are many long straights, and fewer corners in which to make up lap time.
“But we’re looking forward to the challenge; we’ve seen some great races in Canada in recent years and expect another action-packed weekend in Montreal.”
Formula1.com reports that championship leaders Mercedes have brought a “phase two” power unit to Montreal, with customers Williams and Racing Point also getting the upgrade.
Predictions: who will win the Canadian GP?
The Daily Telegraph: Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
“Is it possible, for anyone of sane mind, to look beyond Mercedes this season? You’d say that this track might suit Ferrari a little more but the Mercedes is just a winning monster at the moment and they are also bringing an engine upgrade to Canada. It’s normally a track where Lewis Hamilton excels but last year he was outdriven by team-mate Bottas. We are going to say the same will happen this year and that the Finn will win. Leclerc to take another podium for Ferrari. Podium prediction: 1st Bottas 2nd Hamilton 3rd Leclerc.”
Joe Krishnan, London Evening Standard: Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
“The Finn has enjoyed his best start to a Formula One season since joining the sport in 2013 and has kept team-mate Lewis Hamilton on his toes in the opening six races. Having seen the five-time champion hog the glory in the last three races, Bottas will be hoping to close the gap at the top as he chases his first world title. With Canada a track that favours a car with quick straight-line speed, expect Ferrari to improve this weekend. Can they disrupt Mercedes and prevent another front-row lockout?”
Matthew Atkinson, The Stats Zone: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
“Lewis Hamilton is running away with yet another world drivers’ championship and it is hard to discount him in this Canadian Grand Prix prediction. Hamilton will be motivated to match the great Michael Schumacher by winning for the seventh time in Montreal. Ferrari should be more competitive this weekend, and closer to the Mercedes. Given Hamilton’s achievements in Canada, the Mercedes’ engine upgrade, and his racing skill around a challenging and tight circuit, the prediction is for a Lewis Hamilton win.”
Anish Vishwakoti, SportsKeeda: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
“I can’t see Ferrari getting it together anytime soon, so I turn to Red Bull. Verstappen got so close to the five-time world champ [Hamilton] in Monaco that I think he will want that sight of Lewis so close again in Canada. We see the race going well enough for Red Bull that Verstappen trails Hamilton by less than half a second in the last lap before the Dutchman makes another lunge on the Brit, this time with success to take the win.”
2019 F1 Canadian GP race guide
When are the practice sessions?
There are three full practice (FP) sessions in Montreal. On Friday 7 June FP1 takes place at 3pm and FP2 is at 7pm. FP3 will be at 4pm on Saturday 8 June. All times BST.
When is qualifying?
Qualifying for the F1 Canadian GP starts at 7pm on Saturday 8 June.
What time does the race start?
The 2019 F1 Canadian Grand Prix starts at 7.10pm on Sunday 9 June.
Sky Sports F1 will show live coverage of practice, qualifying and the GP from Montreal. Channel 4 will show highlights of qualifying and the race. All times below are BST.
Watch on Now TV
F1 fans can also watch the action live on Now TV. Viewers can subscribe to a Sky Sports F1 season ticket via Now TV for all race weekends in 2019.
Sky Sports F1 coverage of the Canadian GP Friday 7 June
2.45pm: practice one build-up
3pm: practice one live
6.45pm: practice two build-up
7pm: practice two live
9pm: The Story So Far live (repeated on Sky Sports Main Event at 11pm)
Saturday 8 June
3.45pm: practice three build-up
4pm: practice three live
5.10pm: Paddock Walkabout live
6pm: qualifying build-up
7pm: Canadian GP qualifying live
8.30pm: The F1 Show live (repeated on Sky One at 3pm, Sunday)
Sunday 9 June
5.30pm: Pit Lane live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
6.30pm: On The Grid live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
7.10pm: 2019 F1 Canadian Grand Prix live
9pm: Paddock live
10pm: Canadian GP: The Notebook live
11pm: Canadian GP highlights (simulcast on Sky One and Sky Sports Main Event)
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