Tag: Canadian GP

Mercedes shouldn’t expect double podium repeat in Canada – Wolff

Mercedes has been warned by team principal Toto Wolff that it can’t expect to replicate its Barcelona performance at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. A major update introduced by Mercedes in Monaco delivered a clear step forward in performance in …

Mercedes has been warned by team principal Toto Wolff that it can’t expect to replicate its Barcelona performance at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

A major update introduced by Mercedes in Monaco delivered a clear step forward in performance in Spain, where the team enjoyed its most competitive race of the year to date and became the only constructor other than Red Bull to score a double podium so far in 2023. However, Wolff says the Spanish Grand Prix circuit was one that suited the Mercedes, as did the conditions, and similar competitiveness is unlikely in Montreal.

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“The result in Spain was a well-deserved reward for everyone’s efforts at Brackley and Brixworth to bring our update package to the track,” Wolff said. “We were pleased with how it performed, and it will provide a new baseline for us to build from.

“But we must also manage our expectations. It was a circuit that suited our car, and we should expect our direct competitors to be stronger in the next races. The gap to Red Bull is large and it will take lots of hard work to close that down. Nevertheless, we’re up for the challenge.

“We now move on to Montreal. With its long straights and low-speed corners, it’s not a track that we expect to suit our car as well as Barcelona did. No matter where the true pace of the car is this weekend, we will aim to maximize our result. The characteristics of the circuit will also provide further opportunity to learn about the W14 and feed into our development path.”

And Wolff says Mercedes can’t expect to make big steps moving forward but can use the updated car to try and incrementally add performance – using additional wind tunnel time compared to Red Bull – to slowly close the gap.

“We just need to chip away … We are really good at grinding. Once there is a set-up direction and a development direction we just go for it. We have that advantage in terms of aero time. But we have to be realistic, (in Spain) the temperatures really suited us. It was nice and fresh, not too cold, not too hot, the car was in an absolutely mega window.

“Let’s keep our expectations real. There’s such a long way to go in order to catch Red Bull and we just need to grind away. It’s a good moment to see the development direction is right.

“It was just concentrating on what we think we know well. It’s all down to the engineering work and operations and all the other engineers to bring that car together. The wake up call at the beginning of the season was good.”

F1 says Canadian GP not at risk from wildfires

Formula 1 says next week’s Canadian Grand Prix is not at risk despite the wildfires that are heavily impacting air quality in North America. The Canadian government says there are over 200 fires that are burning out of control – mainly in Ontario …

Formula 1 says next week’s Canadian Grand Prix is not at risk despite the wildfires that are heavily impacting air quality in North America.

The Canadian government says there are over 200 fires that are burning out of control — mainly in Ontario and Quebec — leading to nearly 100 million people in the United States and Canada experiencing “very unhealthy” air quality. On top of the health implications that have led to millions being advised to wear high-grade masks if they have to venture outdoors, the logistical impact has seen flights cancelled and delayed at some major airports.

With F1 due to race in Montreal next weekend — the event starting on June 15 and track action a day later – the situation is being closely monitored by the sport’s incident management group but as it stands there is deemed to be no concerns about it going ahead.

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“The event is not at risk,” an F1 spokesperson said. “We have been assured by all the relevant information that the situation in Montreal at this time is different to other parts of the country and northern U.S. and the risk remains low and air quality is good in Montreal.”

Air quality was lower than usual levels earlier this week in Montreal but returned to good levels on Wednesday, although the BBC reports that major cities including Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Boston, New York and Washington will be susceptible to wildfire smoke into next week based on the current forecast.

F1 made the decision to cancel the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix last month due to devastating flooding in the region, and had already called off the Chinese Grand Prix to cut the 2023 calendar down to 22 races.