THE key to winning in Montreal is to be able to consistently stop the quickest without running out of brakes during the race.
This will provide a real test for the drivers and will be fascinating to watch.
Effective braking is absolutely paramount at this circuit and it is for this reason that extra cooling ducts and different materials will be used to manage the challenge posed by the last of the late brakers.
Mercedes will start again as favourites and we should see another exciting battle between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
Rosberg has evened the odds and lifted himself to be on an even keel with his teammate, so it is not expected that Hamilton will just run away into an unassailable lead.
The truth shall be told on Sunday.
I expect to see Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen in the two Ferraris doing a lot better this weekend.
Red Bull, with its German and Australian duo, may displace Ferrari and, in Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, we could easily see an internal scrap between these two very talented drivers.
Next up should be Force India but I have a feeling that either McLaren Mercedes or Williams Mercedes are going to shine.
McLaren has got the right combination for Canada with a very smooth driver in Jenson Button who will look after his brakes and tyres very well while Kevin Magnusson, given the right car, has the dash and ability to make it go very quickly.
Williams has two very quick drivers including Felipe Massa who is driving at his very best at the moment.
Force India may surprise us as it has a good car, has been very reliable and also has two good drivers in Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez so don’t be surprised if it is pushing some of the front-runners very hard.
Lotus has potential but has been disappointing so far this season, financial problems not helping with the focus that there should be in the team.
Of the tail-enders, and sadly I must include Torro Rosso and Sauber with Marussia and Caterham, the great performance by Marcus Ericsson at Monaco must be noted. Perhaps he can do it again and show us that his performance was not just a flash in the pan.
Roll on Canada and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve where the lucky breaks and the real brakes (retarders) will count most.
Qualifying at this evening race is at 8pm and the race is this Sunday at 8pm.
Bonsoir Montréal.
