June 6th 2024.
Sergio Perez may not be in the best form at the moment, but that didn't stop Red Bull from giving him a new contract. The team had a tough race in Monaco, but they are hoping to regain their winning spirit in Montreal. Max Verstappen has proven himself on this track in the past, winning on his last two attempts. However, Lewis Hamilton is no stranger to success in Canada, with seven victories under his belt. Despite a podium finish last year, Hamilton and his team are determined to catch up to the top three teams with their upgrades this weekend.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is known for its surprises, whether it's broken brakes, groundhogs on the track, melting tarmac, or heavy rain. The infamous "wall of champions" has also played a role in past races. And let's not forget, both McLaren and Ferrari have secured race wins this season. In the last three races, Ferrari has earned 101 points, McLaren has earned 89, and Red Bull has earned 81. Ferrari's car particularly excels in slow corners, which there are plenty of on this track. The launch out of the tight hairpin onto the longest straight is crucial and could be the key to victory. It's definitely not going to be an easy win for Verstappen like it was six weeks ago.
The reason Red Bull is only 24 points ahead of Ferrari in the standings, despite winning five grands prix and two sprints so far, is largely due to Sergio Perez's performance. While he started off strong with four podium finishes in the first five rounds, the last two races have seen him struggling. It came as a surprise when he was given a two-year contract extension, and it makes one wonder if it was influenced by his loyalty to team principal Christian Horner. This extension also provides some stability in case Verstappen decides to leave his contract early.
The pressure on Max Verstappen is not coming from his teammate, as seen in the "supertimes" matrix. This measures the fastest single lap by each driver over each race weekend to determine raw pace. Red Bull has the second-largest gap between their drivers at 0.624 seconds, with Williams' Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant having the largest gap and Alpine's Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly having the smallest. While some drivers excel in midfield cars, it doesn't always translate to success in top teams. Carlos Sainz, for example, has proven to be a strong driver when given a fast car, and it's a shame he won't be in a top team next season. Surprisingly, there are rumors that he may end up at Williams, which could mean Mercedes is preparing to confirm 17-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton's replacement next year. A bold decision by team principal Toto Wolff.
Speaking of Wolff, he also has the task of finding a new ride for Ocon, who will be leaving Alpine at the end of the year after his collision with teammate Fernando Alonso in Monaco. Despite his undeniable speed, Ocon has been in F1 for eight seasons and still makes careless mistakes. While he is a nice guy, he becomes too wild when he puts on his visor. It remains to be seen if Haas or Sauber/Audi will take him on, as they may not be able to afford his destructive tendencies.
In other news, F1 is looking to make the racing more exciting in the future with the launch of a new, lighter car. The smaller vehicle will incorporate a simplified combustion engine using sustainable fuels and a new overtaking boost button. It will be 30 kilograms lighter than the current design, something that Hamilton has been advocating for. The FIA has also promised a minimum weight of 768kg, with a focus on creating a more nimble car. Another key feature is the removal of the Drag Reduction System and the introduction of a Manual Override Mode that will give drivers an electrical boost to overtake their rivals. The 2026 cars will also feature active aerodynamics with movable front and rear wings and different modes to maximize speed.
There have been rumors circulating that Alpine, owned by Renault, could be up for sale due to their poor performances this season and the departure of key engineers. Potential buyers include the Andretti organization, which is looking to enter F1 and bring in GM as a power unit supplier, and Chinese auto giant Geely. However, Renault CEO Luca de Meo has made it clear that they have no intentions of selling any part of the team and are determined to turn things around. Money is not their motive.
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