Race 10 - 2025 Le Grandprix du Canada - Circuit de Gilles-Villeneuve Montreal

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Naughty boy Verstapenn takes to the fast circuit of the Canadian GP with one sole racing licence point separating him from a race ban. To make the race more interesting than possible, he lines up in second place on the grid behind his arch-enemy George Russel, who put out a sensational lap to claim pole at the last minute of Q3.

The race to and around the first corner of the Gilles-Villeneuve track is the most anticipated since the season began. Is Verstappen going to go for it, or will he be mindful of his sole one racing license point and the looming race ban? What is your money on?

In the warm 38 degrees Celsius temperatures of Montreal, the Mercedes cars seemed to have found some performance to edge the McLarens and Redbull of Verstappen, which seemed untouchable as Q3 progressed. Is this a one-lap wonder, or can the Mercedes of Russell sustain that performance throughout the full race distance? This remains to be seen. Even in third, the McLaren of Piastri is the favourite to win this race in my eyes.

With lots of new Medium and Hard tyres available to Hamilton in fifth, there is a good chance of him finishing on the podium, assuming the Ferrari mechanics have done a rare good job. But realistically, the popular money is on Hamilton drifting backwards as typically happens with his Ferrari.

Assuming both Russell and Verstappen make it through the first corner unscathed, this race may shake up the drivers' championship if no McLarens finish in podium positions come the end of the race. Mercedes may regain second in the constructors' championship once more. And Ferrari may be shuffled backwards to their natural position behind Redbull. That said, anything is possible in Montreal.

I am really looking forward to see the what will happen between Russell and Verstappen at the first corner.

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Originally Posted by Matthew

I am really looking forward to see the what will happen between Russell and Verstappen at the first corner.

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I think if Verstappen can make it round the first corner without crashing or losing position, he can win the race from second. The Redbull appear to have a better race pace than all the front runners. It comes down to who has enough new mediums and hard tyres. And which cars cope with the graining of the tyre the best throughout the first and second pitstop stints. I doubt anyone would be able to manage a one-stop strategy, especially if the track temperature is on the high side. If the temperature rises into the 40s, I think the Mercedes would slowly drift backwards.

The start may turn out to be very entertaining by the body language of Russell.

Dodgy Ferrari. They pit Hamilton into traffic to swap LeClerc ahead of Hamilton. Hamilton needs a new race engineer. Adami is shite.

Ferrari and their mysterious car damage they are unwilling to tell us about. Is it real or just a gimmick

The first McLaren fist fight, and Norris comes out of it with a bloody nose.

Ferrari missed a trick with Hamilton and the safety car. They had plenty of time to ask him to pit under safety car, but failed to exploit the leapfrogging of a Ferrari into the podium battle. Slow thinking by Ferrari. Not impressed, they need to make a change, whatever it is. They cannot win anything with these guys

Lovely race as always. Sad that Norris borked it on the straight.
Stroll needs to be shot into the sun.

Mercedes! What temperature?

Russell was imperious. I am happy for young Kimi and his first podium. Canada is a benevolent circuit for young drivers. Has Mercedes found their mojo?

Not the best of Canada, but far from a snoozefest as well. Things were crazy in the midfield, but up front more controlled.

I have to mention, I thought George's post qually answer to Jacques was classis George, mentioning that he has more license points to play with if Max made things spicy in turn 1. He seems to be one of the only ones not afraid to poke the bear and at least attempt to get into Max's head. But they both got clean launches so we will never know how far either of them might have pushed it.

I was actually surprised that Max didnt' push very long before accepting that George had real pace. Both of them bolted ahead of the pack in those initial laps, but George and the Merc could keep things under control. It seems that for some reason Kimi had more pace as the laps added up, both on the first and later stints. He looked for a while like he might get a sniff at Max, but then the gap opened up again. Still great to see him on the podium and have a race free of bad luck.

I'm still a bit boggled why Leclerc was so irate about going to hards again after the first stint. For once Ferrari made the right call and it was questioned, and it shows the lack of trust in the team at this point. Since they worked fine to start the race, going to hards again gave them more of a chance at a safety car or VSC reduced time stop, and there was really no downside. But either way, he did well to move up considering the lift and coast orders, and though Lewis lost a position with the damage from the groundhog and the strategy not a bad race for the car they have. They simply don't have the car or team to fight much higher on any regular basis.


And though George and Max seemed comfortable up front, I thought we might get a real good battle for the lower podium step. Such is my punishment for thinking Lando wouldn't bottle it as soundly as he did. That was rookie bad... make that poor driver rookie bad. He just made life easier on Oscar as well as giving up more points to Max.

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Originally Posted by N. Jones

Lovely race as always. Sad that Norris borked it on the straight.
Stroll needs to be shot into the sun.

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I agree on Norris... but why in the world would you suggest we risk screwing up our only sun? :laugh:

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Originally Posted by Nitrodaze

Ferrari and their mysterious car damage they are unwilling to tell us about. Is it real or just a gimmick

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Apparently, it was groundhog damage to the front end of the floor. He seems to be having an unlucky spell of late. It is clear now that the SF25 is a dud; they have to move focus to their 2026 car. The SF25 seem to have maxed out