Former Formula 1 driver believes fight is on between Red Bull and Ferrari in Montreal | 2024 Canada GP. Red Bull told to expect Ferrari fight around 'difficult' Canada.

Since 1978, the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal has been a mainstay on the Formula 1 calendar.

The 4.361-kilometre Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal in this bustling city is renowned for producing thrilling races and is a beloved destination for drivers.

Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde is excited about the upcoming weekend, which marks the ninth round of the 2024 season. In an interview with RacingNews365, Giedo van der Garde shared his thoughts on the Montreal event, a race he competed in during the 2013 Formula 1 season alongside Caterham.

“For me personally, it was a tough race, but it is really an amazing circuit to drive. Everyone always thinks ‘it’s a very easy circuit because it’s just a few straights and some chicanes’, but actually it’s just a very difficult, technical circuit. Basically it’s just a street circuit, with a lot of consecutive combinations. You have to have a car that is good with braking, but also goes well over the kerbs. As a driver, you shouldn’t always be too eager to want to brake a little later to gain time, because a good exit is also very important here.” – explained the Dutch former racing driver, who last competed in the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship for TDS Racing.

Giedo Van der Garde highlighted that the kerbs will be a key focus. In Monaco, they posed issues for Red Bull. But will the Milton Keynes team face similar difficulties at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal? Van der Garde believes Ferrari will present a significant challenge for the world championship leader, after the Maranello team won in Monaco with Charles Leclerc and secured a double podium finish thanks to Carlos Sainz’s third place finish: “Ferrari is always good on a circuit with slow corners, where you need mechanical grip and can brake late.” – he added.

At the same time, the ex-Formula 1 driver believes Red Bull will also come back stronger after the disappointing performance on the streets of Monte Carlo: “Red Bull will definitely be good here as well. They have always won here in recent years with Max and have a super efficient car on the straights. – he continued – “Especially with DRS open, they are just very strong. So I think it’s going to be a nice battle between Ferrari and Red Bull. When asked about McLaren’s prospects for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, Giedo van der Garde replied: “They don’t have that efficiency on the straights, so in my opinion, it’s really going to be a nice battle between Ferrari and Red Bull.”

The duel between the Maranello team and the Austrian side, among others, has been present in the last few rounds of the 2024 Formula 1 championship, an encouraging comeback for Scuderia Ferrari after Red Bull and Max Verstappen completely dominated the previous season.

“This is very important for the sport. Last season was of course fantastic and unprecedented, but a little bit of excitement and other drivers going to win races is always good for the sport.
We have obviously seen different winners in the last few races and different teams winning. That’s nice to see and you want to see that. Of course, you don’t want it to become a parade, with the same one constantly winning. So I think it’s very good for the sport.” – Giedo van der Garde concluded, ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.