The start of the race is often incident-packed, but generally drivers enjoy the track, which gives reasonable overtaking opportunities and requires medium levels of downforce. However, it is unlikely that the hard-working
Formula One teams share their driver's enthusiasm. With so many fast blasts, slow chicanes and hairpins, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has a reputation for being a real car-breaker.
THE WINNER?
The previous round at
Silverstone was billed as the great showdown between the three best drivers in the sport; Alonso, Schumacher and Raikkonen. However, with Alonso taking a dominant win and taking into consideration his strong form in Canada, he is surely the hot favourite for the win here, regardless of the competition.
Nonetheless, Schumacher is another Canada favourite, as is ‘05 winner Raikkonen. Even the outsiders cannot be discounted, as Fisichella led last year before bad luck intervened, while Montoya and Massa have also proved quick there in previous years.
LAST SEASON:
Canada proved crucial in Raikkonen being able to push Alonso as far as he did in the championship last year, after making the most of Renault’s problems to take an unfancied win from seventh on the grid.
His cause was aided though when others destructed around him, not least Alonso who hit the wall, while early leader Fisichella saw his excellent start destroyed by mechanical failure. Even team-mate
Juan Pablo Montoya fell by the wayside when he was sensationally disqualified for exiting the pit lane through the red light.
Ferrari got their season back on track with second and third, ahead of Felipe Massa who equalled his best ever finish in fourth.
Mark Webber,
Ralf Schumacher, David Coulthard and Christian Klien benefited from various retirements to make up the rest of the points positions.
1.
Kimi Raikkonen Finland
McLaren-Mercedes 01hr 32mins 09.290secs
70 laps
2.
Michael Schumacher German
Ferrari +1.1secs
3.
Rubens Barrichello Brazil
Ferrari +40.4secs
4.
Felipe Massa Brazil
Sauber-Petronas +55.1secs
5.
Mark Webber Australia
Williams-BMW +55.7secs
6.
Ralf Schumacher Germany
Toyota-Toyota +1 lap
7.
David Coulthard Britain
Red Bull-Cosworth +1 lap
8.
Christian Klien Austria
Red Bull-Cosworth +1 lap
