WilliamsF1 has won six GPs in Canada (1979, '80, '86, '89, '93 and '96),
while BMW has won two (1982 and '84). In 2001, the Anglo-German partnership
claimed its first joint victory in Montreal.
2005 marks the 37th Canadian Grand Prix and the 27th to be held in Montreal.
The first Canadian GP was staged in Mosport in 1967, with a further seven to
follow. Mont-Tremblant has hosted two GPs.
Montreal has been hosting the Formula One race since 1978. The circuit is
named after the winner of the inaugural GP, Canadian driver Gilles
Villeneuve. |
After a strong run of
performances resulting in back-to-back podium wins, the BMW WilliamsF1
Team travels to North America for the Canadian and US Grands Prix on
successive weekends.
The move to the North American continent brings with it a change in the
complexion to low downforce, high power race circuits which may alter
the current form guide. Montreal remains both a firm favourite with
drivers and holds good memories for the Anglo-German partnership having
won there in 2001.
Mark Webber:
"Montreal reminds me of
Melbourne in many ways as the city really welcomes and embraces the
Grand Prix every year. The track itself has a street circuit feel to it
as there are plenty of walls around it and is very challenging for the
driver. There's always a great atmosphere in the city, and at the
circuit, and I know all the teams enjoy going there.
Montreal is a track that requires good braking and traction performance,
as well as lots of horsepower from the engine for the long straight. To
help achieve the top speed, we need to run a different downforce level
to that which we've been using on the tracks we've visited so far this
year. This race has been a fairly happy hunting ground for WilliamsF1 in
the past and, although I didn't finish the race there last year, I had a
points finish in 2003. I'm looking forward to the race and I hope we can
continue the points-scoring run the team is enjoying at the moment."
Nick Heidfeld:
"I'm looking forward to going to Canada, not only because it's such a
good race track, but also because I like the city and the people. The
circuit will present a new challenge this year because the organisers
have just re-surfaced it, so no-one really knows what to expect. We will
have new parts on the car, again, so I hope they will work well and I
also hope Michelin will again provide us with a good tyre."
Sam Michael Technical Director:
"Traditionally,
heading to the double header in America marks the half way point in the
championship. We are going to Montreal after podium results in Monaco
and Nürburgring, and with a successful test this week at Silverstone
under our belts.
Montreal is a lower drag circuit, dominated by straights between a lot
of slow corners and chicanes. There are two good overtaking
opportunities, and the circuit is the hardest on brake wear and
temperatures. We have brought a number of aerodynamic upgrades to the
car, in the form of front and rear wings and some bodywork parts, all a
result of the ongoing development programme for the FW27. A lot of
further investigation by BMW and WilliamsF1 has gone into our starts so
we hope to improve upon the current situation."
.
Dr Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
"We
are hoping to continue our recent successes in Canada. In the past, the
car has always been suited to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, although
the long straights will place extreme demands on the reliability and
performance of the BMW P84/5 engine. Based on our 2004 data, we recorded
the third highest speed of 343.2 km/h during the race in Montreal, we
only topped that at Monza and at Indianapolis. The longest flat-out
section is 955 metres, and the full-throttle ratio over a complete lap
averages at 55 percent. Leaves falling from the trees, however, present
a certain risk as they can block the radiator. Other than that, we do
not expect any unusual thermal loads. Even in summer weather, the
engines should still get sufficient cooling air on the straights.
The atmosphere at the Canadian Grand Prix is always something special,
firstly because the paddock and the race track are in such a picturesque
setting, and secondly because the whole city comes out to welcome
Formula One. There are always plenty of events laid on over the race
weekend, which include the BMW M Night, for which a street in the
downtown area is closed off on Saturday night."
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