2019 Canadian GP: Ferrari looking to equal McLaren record in Canada. Ferrari looking to equal McLaren record in Canada.

Laid out on the perimeter roads of the artificial island of Notre Dame, the 4.361 km Montreal track, usually delivers exciting racing. To go quickly here, drivers need to brush the walls and once in a while, someone takes it too far. That has led to the barrier on the outside of the final turn being nicknamed the “wall of champions,” as it claimed many champions who got it wrong. The Safety Car nearly always has to put in an appearance here, because of a virtual lack of run off areas. Brakes get a really hard time at this track. Good traction is vital, while the very long straight that runs from the hairpin to the final chicane before the line, highlights engine performance.

Scuderia Ferrari has won 12 times in Canada, 11 victories being scored in Montreal. The first of those was unforgettable, going to local hero Gilles Villeneuve. This was also the venue for Jean Alesi’s one and only win, on his 31st birthday in 1995. Michael Schumacher was first past the flag six times for the Maranello team (1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004) and has also won here in 1994 for Benetton-Ford. René Arnoux and Michele Alboreto also won for Ferrari at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, while the Italian side’s most recent victory was scored last season by Sebastian Vettel, who finished ahead of Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer) in an emotional weekend for the Maranello team.

With 12 victories in Canada, Ferrari is just one win away from McLaren’s record of 13 and will be hoping to equal the statistics this weekend at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The hairpin
The way one tackles this corner determines top speed down the following straight, so it’s a key point to attack, but also to defend, given that those behind can use the DRS. Good traction is the important element here.

The final chicane
The least that can happen if you get it wrong here is that you are slow onto the straight, but the worst case scenario sees you end up in the famous Champions’ Wall, bringing out the Safety Car, which is a regular visitor here.