F1 2012 Canadian GP

Bartek S. · Jun 1, 2012

Circuit name
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
Location
Montreal
Laps
70
Circuit Length
4.361 km
Lap Record
1:13.622 - R Barrichello (2004)

Jenson Button makes qualifying better his priority for Canadian Grand Prix

Jenson Button says his focus for the Canadian Grand Prix will be on improving his qualifying form following a series of difficult races.
The McLaren driver has started the last two grands prix from 10th and 12th positions as he has struggled to get the balance of his car right. Button has scored just two points in the last three events.
The Briton, the winner in Canada last year, says he is aiming to fix his qualifying problems this weekend as his main priority.
"Obviously, returning to Montreal will be an extremely proud and happy moment for me," said Button in a team preview. "This weekend, though, it's going to be important to get a handle on the car in qualifying.
"At the last two races, Q2 hasn't gone my way, so, no matter what pace you have in the race, you're still compromised on Sunday afternoon, particularly as the pack is so tightly bunched at the moment.
"My aim for the weekend will be to have a stronger qualifying performance and to be able to build on that in the race."
Team-mate Lewis Hamilton is also hoping for a change of luck in Montreal, the 2008 world champion still seeking his first victory in 2012.
"I know that the results we all want will soon come to us: I am doing everything I can to extract every tenth from the car, and I know that the guys at the track and the men and women back at MTC are doing everything they can to give me a car that's worthy of winning," he said.
"We are still very much in the hunt for this world championship and I'm looking forward to bringing that fight to Montreal, which is one of my favourite races of the season."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100041

330CIZHP · Jun 2, 2012

Thanks.

Hope it does not get disrupted by those brat students in Montreal.

Bartek S. · Jun 3, 2012

Not the race but the the streets of Montreal will be affected by protest. That's the reason I'm not going to any events.

330CIZHP · Jun 3, 2012

Bartek S. said:
Not the race but the the streets of Montreal will be affected by protest. That's the reason I'm not going to any events.

That sucks! Don't want to turn this thread into a political debate, but it is abyssmal how these spoiled brats with selfish sense of entitlement at the backs of Quebec tax payers are holding the entire province hostage. Hope you guys go to poll soon and the silent majority of Quebec makes itself heard.

Bartek S. · Jun 3, 2012

Montreal's Grand Prix cancels opening day over protest threats

Threats of student protests have forced organizers of the Canadian Grand Prix to cancel the free opening day of the event.
Formula One fans were to have had access to Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve at the "Open House" event Thursday.

Instead the event was scrapped due to security concerns.
"We did receive some direct threat on the event," said François Dumontier, President of the Grand Prix du Canada.

He says the organization has already lost some money due to security concerns.
"Our ticket sales are down over the last month or so. People didn't buy the tickets, saying that they were afraid to come to Montreal."

The student group CLASSE has suggested the race be used as a platform for the protesters' demonstrations over tuition fees.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest in turn has been critical of threats toward the race that generates an estimated $100 million in revenue for the city.

More than 300,000 spectators are expected to attend the event, which runs June 8 to 10.

Monster · Jun 4, 2012

Kids these days....whines too much, they need to toughen up.

Centurion · Jun 4, 2012

Gosh. F1 is so embroiled in politics this year. First Bahrain and now Canada, quite different situations though.

Monster · Jun 4, 2012

Centurion said:
Gosh. F1 is so embroiled in politics this year. First Bahrain and now Canada, quite different situations though.

Selfish people hijacking sporting events and use it to gain exposure for their own narrow political benefit.

MoSs · Jun 5, 2012

Monster said:
Selfish people hijacking sporting events and use it to gain exposure for their own narrow political benefit.

Comon Why selfish? When some ppl are risking their life's and their family, children's lives for a better future, some out their are being treated like slaves, paying the price for religion and background.

Idk about canada tho, been trying to avoid the news!

Monster · Jun 5, 2012

MoSs said:
Comon Why selfish? When some ppl are risking their life's and their family, children's lives for a better future, some out their are being treated like slaves, paying the price for religion and background.

Idk about canada tho, been trying to avoid the news!

Well I do not want to go too far off topic, and I don't want to engage in a political discussions because it is against forum rules. Call me an idealist but I think sports should remain as a pure competition where individuals and teams stretch their physical and mental capability, it is an event that brings and unite people from all different background, different religion and race, like the Olympic games or the World cup. I suppose that is the Australia's way of thinking, We really do love our sports, and our politicians and local citizens understood this so they rarely use sporting events to benefit themselves. I apologise if I have offended anyone. For further discussions please PM me instead.

Bartek S. · Jun 6, 2012

Fernando Alonso says Montreal will be 'crucial indicator' for Ferrari's title bid

Fernando Alonso believes this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix could reveal whether Ferrari will be competitive enough to sustain its world championship challenge for the rest of the 2012 Formula 1 season.

Alonso currently holds a three-point lead over Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in the standings despite Ferrari having started the season a long way off the pace following a troubled winter build-up. The Spaniard won the wet Malaysian GP, and also took podium finishes in Spain and Monaco.

Ferrari has admitted that traction and top speed were among its early weak points, and as both are essential for Montreal pace, Alonso thinks this weekend will reveal whether the F2012 has improved sufficiently.
"I think we have improved the car in these areas since the beginning of the season and Canada will be a good test in this respect," he said.
"Hopefully this weekend we will see a competitive Ferrari and that will be very important for us, not just for this race but also for the rest of the season."

Alonso said his current expectation was that Ferrari would be encouraged by its Montreal form.
"It's hard to say in advance, as this season has been so unpredictable with ups and downs for everyone over the course of six races," he said. "However, I don't see any reason why Ferrari should not be competitive in Canada, fighting for the top places come the end of the race."
The double world champion added that he was not letting his current points lead deceive him, as he still believes Ferrari has ground to make up on-track.

"Leading the championship is only the beginning, it's a starting point, because the ultimate target is leading the championship after the final race in Brazil in November," said Alonso.
"It's a long championship and the first six races brought us enough points to be in the lead, but we are well aware that we have to improve.

"We need to make the car faster, working hard, while making no mistakes and finding consistency, which is not the easiest thing to do in this championship."

http://www.autosport

Monster · Jun 6, 2012

Canada will be good for cars will minimal aerodynamic drag like the Mercedes and the Lotus, lets see if Ferrari has find a way to improve their top speed.

Centurion · Jun 6, 2012

Monster said:
Canada will be good for cars will minimal aerodynamic drag like the Mercedes and the Lotus, lets see if Ferrari has find a way to improve their top speed.

And it will be a good race for any top 10 driver who decided to sit out Q3 and save as many fresh tyres as possible. Grid position isn't vital in Canada. It's tarmac eats tyres and saving four sets of fresh ones for the race will give yield a massive advantage. Expect Vettel, Schumi and Kimi not to waste tyres on Q3.

Bartek S. · Jun 8, 2012

FP1

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m15.564 30
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m15.682s + 0.118 29
3. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m15.782s + 0.218 30
4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m15.842s + 0.278 34
5. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m15.897s + 0.333 28
6. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m15.986s + 0.422 29
7. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m16.000s + 0.436 31
8. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m16.249s + 0.685 32
9. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m16.264s + 0.700 28
10. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m16.347s + 0.783 12
11. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m16.460s + 0.896 32
12. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m16.619s + 1.055 17
13. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m16.859s + 1.295 25
14. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m16.890s + 1.326 36
15. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m17.014s + 1.450 41
16. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m17.352s + 1.788 28
17. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m17.580s + 2.016 31
18. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m17.935s + 2.371 23
19. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m18.177s + 2.613 16
20. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m18.182s + 2.618 26
21. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1m18.762s + 3.198 36
22. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m19.354s + 3.790 23
23. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m20.004s + 4.440 21
24. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m20.067s + 4.503 23

Bartek S. · Jun 8, 2012

FP2

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m15.259s 43
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m15.313s + 0.054 36
3. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m15.410s + 0.151 39
4. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m15.531s + 0.272 44
5. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m15.544s + 0.285 32
6. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m15.651s + 0.392 37
7. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m15.697s + 0.438 32
8. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m15.799s + 0.540 39
9. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m15.812s + 0.553 14
10. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m15.878s + 0.619 40
11. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m15.898s + 0.639 38
12. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m15.907s + 0.648 41
13. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m15.987s + 0.728 39
14. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m16.360s + 1.101 29
15. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m16.562s + 1.303 33
16. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m16.981s + 1.722 24
17. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1m17.022s + 1.763 22
18. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m17.075s + 1.816 41
19. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m17.124s + 1.865 41
20. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m17.716s + 2.457 34
21. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m18.908s + 3.649 27
22. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m19.084s + 3.825 40
23. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m19.378s + 4.119 21
24. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m19.902s + 4.643 18

Bartek S. · Jun 8, 2012

Montreal to feature one DRS detection zone this weekend

Montreal will feature just one DRS detection zone this weekend, instead of the two it had for the 2011 event won by Jenson Button.
The zone will become active after Turn 10 and will begin 600 metres before the braking zone for Turn 13. It has also been shortened by 50 metres since last year and is now a total of 600m long.
It was reduced in length after it was considered too easy to overtake through the section in last year's race.
The second DRS zone on the start-finish line has now been dropped.

http://www.autosport

Centurion · Jun 9, 2012

Bruno shunted it during practice and smashed the rear of his car quite badly. Another interesting note is that Lewis managed a 30 lap stint on the super soft. So a one stop strategy is possible however 2-3 stops will be quicker given how much room there is to pass in Canada. Last year Button had most trips through the pit stop but yet won the race.

Bartek S. · Jun 9, 2012

FP3

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m14.442 22
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m14.448s + 0.006 17
3. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m14.712s + 0.270 19
4. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m14.724s + 0.282 21
5. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m14.755s + 0.313 22
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m14.767s + 0.325 21
7. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m14.796s + 0.354 19
8. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m14.873s + 0.431 20
9. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m14.977s + 0.535 21
10. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m14.992s + 0.550 22
11. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m15.067s + 0.625 19
12. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m15.112s + 0.670 21
13. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m15.126s + 0.684 24
14. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1m15.237s + 0.795 22
15. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m15.327s + 0.885 22
16. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m15.498s + 1.056 19
17. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m16.268s + 1.826 24
18. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m16.545s + 2.103 20
19. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m17.705s + 3.263 21
20. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m17.974s + 3.532 23
21. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m18.189s + 3.747 21
22. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m18.684s + 4.242 23
23. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari no time 3
24. Nico Rosberg Mercedes no time 1

Bartek S. · Jun 9, 2012

Qual.

Pos Driver Team Time Gap
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m13.784s
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m14.087s + 0.303
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m14.151s + 0.367
4. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m14.346s + 0.562
5. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m14.411s + 0.627
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m14.465s + 0.681
7. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m14.645s + 0.861
8. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m14.705s + 0.921
9. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m14.812s + 1.028
10. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m15.182s + 1.398
Q2 cut-off time: 1m14.680s Gap **
11. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m14.688s + 0.501
12. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m14.734s + 0.547
13. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m14.748s + 0.561
14. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m15.078s + 0.891
15. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m15.156s + 0.969
16. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1m15.170s + 0.983
17. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m15.231s + 1.044
Q1 cut-off time: 1m15.552s Gap *
18. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m16.263s + 1.602
19. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m16.482s + 1.821
20. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m16.602s + 1.941
21. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m17.492s + 2.831
22. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m17.901s + 3.240
23. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m18.255s + 3.594
24. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m18.330s + 3.669

107% time: 1m19.887s
* Gap to quickest in Q1
** Gap to quickest in Q2