Canadian GP 2014 Team news & quotes

**Nero Horse** · 2nd June 2014, 15:50

F1 on Gilles’ home turf

Maranello, 2 June – This Sunday sees the 45th running of the Canadian Grand Prix. The race was first held in 1967, when Jack Brabham won in his own car. It’s been held on three circuits: Mosport Park eight times, Mont-Tremblant twice and Montreal, 34 times, making it a classic on the calendar.

Ferrari has won the race 11 times which is a 25% success rate. The first win was even a one-two finish at Mont-Tremblant, where Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni crossed the line in that order in the 312B. The Montreal track made its debut eight years later, built on the perimeter roads of the man-made Ile Notre Dame. It used the excavated soil from the construction of the 1976 Olympic village. Local hero Gilles Villeneuve won in the Ferrari 312 T3. The fallout from this win was incredible, being the first victory for a Canadian, as well as taking place in Quebec, where Gilles was born. The track was named in his honour after his death at Zolder in May 1982 and the following year, Ferrari won again in Montreal with Rene Arnoux and a further two years on, Michele Alboreto was victorious.

In 1995, the famous number 27 won again, giving Jean Alesi the best day of his career: Michael Schumacher in the Benetton had an electrical problem, which meant he had to pit to change the steering wheel and to have the system reset. For once, Alesi managed to shake the monkey off his back that had been there for so long. The Frenchman crossed the line to celebrate his 31st birthday in the best way possible. Montreal has a big Italian population and the fans invaded the track, risking getting run over as cars were still on track. Alesi had to park his car as he was mobbed by fans and in the end, it was the aforementioned Schumacher who gave him a lift back, wrapped in the French flag.

In fact, the remaining 6 Ferrari wins in Canada all came courtesy of Schumacher, the first of them in 1997. The following year was a bit more controversial, as the Ferrari man drove into Heinz-Harald Frentzen coming out of the pits, putting the Williams out of the race. Michael was given a stop-go penalty, but he still managed to win.

Walls close to the track edge are a feature of this circuit and one in particular, on the outside of the last turn before the pit straight, has ended the hopes of many of the best drivers over the years. It has become known as the “Wall of Champions” and it has caught out big names such as Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill, Rubens Barrichello and more recently, Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel, the latter on Friday in 2011. Schumacher wasn’t immune to it either, his race coming to an end there in 1999 while leading, but he made up for it, winning in 2000, 2002 and 2004, making him the king of Canada with no less than seven wins.

See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/f1-....nP36KLlo.dpuf

**Sanomas** · 2nd June 2014, 15:58

Here we go! CANADA!

One of my favorites tracks, love the Epingle corner and last chicane and I'm really looking forward to see what's going to happened...hopefully it'll be the good weekend for us!

**fratelliferrari** · 2nd June 2014, 16:45

Really looking forward for the Grand Prix! Please let the updates work

**Samcar222** · 2nd June 2014, 17:26

Really curious to see the gaps to the Mercedes with our supposed engine software upgrades.. I feel this will be a turning point for the other teams, Ferrari and Macca, et al (who may start playing with the car as has been reported to prep for Honda 2015). RBR has the closest chance of winning a race this season, but all the upcoming tracks will play to the advantage of the silver cars.

Another note, considering we saw a Renault and Mercedes "power unit" failure at Monaco, it will be interesting to see how reliability unfolds in the upcoming grands prix.

**NickEice** · 2nd June 2014, 17:37

Good point about reliability. I believe Vettel was quoted as to saying it is not a question about "If" but more "When" the grid penalties for going over the Power Unit allotment start to occur.

**vcs316** · 2nd June 2014, 17:52

Alonso hopes to be closer to podium in Canada

Fernando Alonso says Ferrari has to stay "calm" in its pursuit of Mercedes and Red Bull and insists the team will be closer to challenging for a spot on the podium in Canada.

Alonso finished a distant fourth behind Daniel Ricciardo in Monaco, which he admitted after the race was the best he could have hoped for with Sebastian Vettel's early retirement. Ferrari is still within touching distance of Red Bull in the constructors' championship, currently sitting 21 points behind in third.

Alonso admits he is fully aware Ferrari is falling short of people's expectations in 2014 but is confident the team can progress on a race-by-race basis.

"We will see, I think we need to be calm and work hard," Alonso said when asked about his expectations for Canada. "We need to deliver what the expectations are. We have brought new parts to every race this year - some of them work fine, some of them didn't work, so we just need to make the most of the new parts in Canada.

"Hopefully we can have a good Friday with a good test and make those parts work, then hopefully we will be closer to the podium [than Monaco]. I have no doubts we will be more and more competitive every race, though how much I don't know."

Despite his confidence for Canada, Alonso also knows Ferrari has to be wary of Mercedes and Red Bull making equal gains out in front.

"Our pace [in Monaco] was good and that means, bit by bit, we are improving. Sure, the gap to the leaders is still significant, because like us they are moving forward on the development front. Therefore we must try to do better, starting with Canada."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

**vcs316** · 2nd June 2014, 17:53

Raikkonen bemoans unlucky start to Ferrari return

Kimi Raikkonen believes his return to Ferrari has been hampered by incidents outside of his control this season after suffering several incidents at key points in races.

Raikkonen's form has been the subject of speculation this year, with his highly-anticipated move back to Ferrari so far not living up to pre-season expectations - partly due to struggles with car set-up. He looked set for his best finish of the season in Monaco and his first ahead of team-mate Fernando Alonso in 2014, running third after a superb start, but it was jeopardised by a puncture caused by a collision with the lapped Max Chilton under the safety car.

Raikkonen also had two incidents with Kevin Magnussen earlier in the season and he feels he has already seen his fair share of bad luck this year.

"I have driven well many times, but there's always been something going wrong in the races - like punctures from other people hitting me - and it's just never come together really," Raikkonen said. "It's a shame. Again we had a good position [in Monaco] but got a puncture so it's just bad luck.

"Small things go wrong and make a massive difference in the end."

Raikkonen knows Ferrari still has a big job to do to catch Mercedes and Red Bull but thinks the team can achieve it in time.

"Obviously we need to improve in a lot of areas. We've done a lot of things, particularly with the engine and stuff like that to improve already, but we are still lacking the speed we need to compete with Mercedes, they are still quite a way ahead of us. We know what we have to do but those things are not easy to fix, it just takes time.

"We know where the weaknesses are but if everyone could improve theirs everyone would have a fast car. Once we get a good feeling with things I'm sure it's going to be a lot better. But until we get the results and things fixed we have to keep fighting and hopefully be a bit more lucky in the future."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

**Greig** · 2nd June 2014, 19:16

Originally Posted by Nero Horse

The following year was a bit more controversial, as the Ferrari man drove into Heinz-Harald Frentzen coming out of the pits, putting the Williams out of the race. Michael was given a stop-go penalty, but he still managed to win.

Bet Patrick Head is still mad about this

**AfterLife** · 2nd June 2014, 19:20

I had a dream about Canada 2014. It was about the moment that Lewis Hamilton couldn't overtake Fernando Alonso even with open DRS for the whole race. The highlight of my dream was the superiority of Ferrari's engine and all of the commentators were expressing their shocks about what is happening in that moment while three or four commentators talking rapidly at the same time because of their shocks.

**ManFromMilan** · 2nd June 2014, 19:38

Originally Posted by AfterLife

I had a dream about Canada 2014. It was about the moment that Lewis Hamilton couldn't overtake Fernando Alonso even with open DRS for the whole race. The highlight of my dream was the superiority of Ferrari's engine and all of the commentators were expressing their shocks about what is happening in that moment while three or four commentators talking rapidly at the same time because of their shocks.

I dig your dream

Now is the time for the boys to make it a reality

**Suzie** · 2nd June 2014, 19:52

I love Canada, so excited for this weekend

**stefa** · 2nd June 2014, 20:37

Originally Posted by AfterLife

I had a dream about Canada 2014. It was about the moment that Lewis Hamilton couldn't overtake Fernando Alonso even with open DRS for the whole race. The highlight of my dream was the superiority of Ferrari's engine and all of the commentators were expressing their shocks about what is happening in that moment while three or four commentators talking rapidly at the same time because of their shocks.

This really sounds like a dream....

**stefa** · 2nd June 2014, 20:38

On Saturday 7th I am traveling to London, where I'll be staying till 14th of July. London people, advice for nice place where I can for sure watch whole race?!
Thank you!!!

**Greig** · 2nd June 2014, 20:43

Silverstone

**stefa** · 2nd June 2014, 22:32

Originally Posted by Greig

Silverstone

I am two week short of that. I was thinking about it when I was planning my trip to London, but unfortunately I couldn't use mu vacation that late... Very good consolidation is that I AM GOING TO SEASON FINALE IN ABU DHABI! Tickets for north grand stand are already both! Yeah!!!!!
OK, now really any good pab or something in London to watch race from Canada?

**ALO** · 2nd June 2014, 23:28

Originally Posted by AfterLife

I had a dream about Canada 2014. It was about the moment that Lewis Hamilton couldn't overtake Fernando Alonso even with open DRS for the whole race. The highlight of my dream was the superiority of Ferrari's engine and all of the commentators were expressing their shocks about what is happening in that moment while three or four commentators talking rapidly at the same time because of their shocks.

I had the same dream but Kimi was also faster than HAM and ROS

**FF1** · 3rd June 2014, 03:09

Originally Posted by Sanomas

Here we go! CANADA!

One of my favorites tracks, love the Epingle corner and last chicane and I'm really looking forward to see what's going to happened...hopefully it'll be the good weekend for us!

Hi, are you living in Tehran. nice to meet you

**abbottcostello** · 3rd June 2014, 05:01

Well, they do say you need to visualize your goals to give them a better chance of happening (something like that

), so credit to the 2 of you for getting that part done!
I will visualize a Ferrari 1-2 in a daydream, as I don't do very well at remembering my sleeping dreams & this is one I don't want to forget the minute I wake!

Like many here am getting very excited for the Canada GP

**Sanomas** · 3rd June 2014, 14:45

Originally Posted by FF1

Hi, are you living in Tehran. nice to meet you

Hey FF1!

Yes, indeed I am living in Tehran, I'm Iranian and nice to meet you to from NZ, mate!

On the topic, I just except a good weekend, running good practices and taking a good result on the qualify and having a good race, all the good!

**Nero Horse** · 3rd June 2014, 16:32

**vcs316** · 3rd June 2014, 17:42

Alonso: Canada an important race for us

Fernando Alonso has said the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend will be an 'important' race for Ferrari and that the team needs to match what its rivals have done on the development front since Monaco 'plus something'.

Ferrari has struggled to match Mercedes and to a lesser extent Red Bull Racing so far this year, and to date the squad has taken just one podium, with Alonso coming home third in China.

After finishing fourth in Monaco two weeks ago, Alonso is determined now to do better and recently he spent a few days at the team's Maranello base.

"Everyone is very motivated and hungry for good results," he told Ferrari's official website. "We are all working in one direction to improve the car and be more competitive than we saw in the first part of the championship. We are realistic and we know where we are. But from now on we want to start getting different kinds of results and try and enjoy the weekends a bit more."

"Canada for sure is an important race for us," he underlined. "We have been preparing the car and improving it on the aero side. We have also been in the simulator and have done a lot of work on the set-up to try and arrive there with a better and more competitive machine.

"Let's see what we can do. We need to wait and see what our competitors do and we need to match what they are doing plus something [to close the gap].

"Hopefully Canada is the starting point for us and we can take some good points back home."

Alonso has had mixed fortunes in Montreal over the years and while he won in 2006, and was third in 2010 and second last year, he has also had five DNFs.

"Canada is a very nice track and very challenging," continued the Spaniard. "There are only six or seven corners but all of them have something special. All of them have some danger and all of them are important to set a good lap time. It is a circuit that I enjoy and there is definitely no room for mistakes as all the walls are very, very close. It is challenging, but nice to drive."

"You can feel the city of Montreal has a lot of passion for the race when we arrive there and everyone gets involved in the preparations," he added.

"I have won there and it definitely has some good memories. I also remember that big storm a couple of years back which meant the race was red flagged for a couple of hours and we were waiting on the grid. There have been ups and downs there in terms of my results. But hopefully this year will be a good one".

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/3...-race-for-us/?

**vcs316** · 3rd June 2014, 17:43

Ferrari's Alonso "realist but motivated"

(AGI) - Maranello, June 3 - After two races in Europe, the Formula 1 championship is about to move westward for the Canadian Grand Prix, and Fernando Alonso is preparing for the race in Maranello. "After Monaco I noticed a positive atmosphere in Maranello. Everyone is very motivated and hungry for good results. We are, however, realists, and we are well aware of our current standing, but from now on we want to achieve good results and enjoy the races a little more. One thing is certain, we are all working on improving the cars," he said.

http://www.agi.it/english-version/sp...but_motivated?

**stefa** · 3rd June 2014, 17:43

Originally Posted by stefa

I am two week short of that. I was thinking about it when I was planning my trip to London, but unfortunately I couldn't use mu vacation that late... Very good consolidation is that I AM GOING TO SEASON FINALE IN ABU DHABI! Tickets for north grand stand are already both! Yeah!!!!!
OK, now really any good pab or something in London to watch race from Canada?

No suggestions...? C'mon!

**Nero Horse** · 3rd June 2014, 17:45

Maranello, 3 June – After two races in Europe, the F1 circus leaves the Old Continent and heads west for the first time this year to take in one of the most popular events on the calendar, the Canadian Grand Prix. Before crossing the Atlantic, Fernando Alonso spent a few days in the factory at Maranello, helping the team prepare for the race, while team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was involved in sponsor work in Scandinavia.

“After Monaco I felt a good atmosphere in the factory,” said Fernando. “Everyone is very motivated and hungry for good results. We are realistic and well aware of where we are at the moment, but from now on, we want to be in a position to get better results and enjoy our race weekends a bit more and everyone is working in one direction to improve the car”.

The Spaniard has always enjoyed being in the factory and he feels it can provide tangible results. “It is important to spend time with the engineers, the mechanics and other team personnel away from the race weekend, because there are always new ideas or things that spring to mind,” reckoned Fernando. “It can happen that even while you are just having lunch together, you remember something that you would like to try at the next Grand Prix or even in the simulator. That’s why it’s good for me to spend time here in a unique family environment”.

In the short term, the focus has naturally been on the upcoming Grand Prix. “We have been improving the car on the aero side, while in the simulator, we have done a lot of work on the set-up with the aim of arriving in Canada with a better car,” revealed the Ferrari man. “We can’t make any predictions because our improvement has to be seen in relation to what our competitors come up with. We need to match them and then find a plus”.

As a past winner at the Gilles Villeneuve track, Alonso is a fan of the place. “It has only six or seven corners, but each one has something special. They have an element of danger and getting them right brings you a lot of lap time. There is definitely no room for error, as all the walls are very very close. You can feel the city of Montreal has a lot of passion for the race and everyone gets involved in some way. I won here which definitely provides good memories and I also remember that big storm a couple of years back which meant the race was stopped for hours and we were waiting on the grid. There have been ups and downs in terms of results and hopefully this year will be a good one”.

See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/alo....KXuNqski.dpuf

**Nero Horse** · 3rd June 2014, 17:47

**Nero Horse** · 3rd June 2014, 18:10

Lately Alonso sounds more positive and confident in his statements about the team's progress imo, that's a very good sign. Let's hope we'll truly have something positive coming this weekend. Forza Ferrari!

**blaney1977** · 3rd June 2014, 18:25

I'm starting too believe that Allison is starting too have a bigger influence and hopefully momentum has started for this season and where we are weak we can sort it for next years design and be up there at the start from the 1st race, iv always said Alonso doesn't need the fastest car every weekend

**Majki2111** · 3rd June 2014, 20:24

Alonso has been practising a bit with soft "r" in english, but I like his hard Spanish accent more.

**Greig** · 3rd June 2014, 21:07

Originally Posted by stefa

I am two week short of that. I was thinking about it when I was planning my trip to London, but unfortunately I couldn't use mu vacation that late... Very good consolidation is that I AM GOING TO SEASON FINALE IN ABU DHABI! Tickets for north grand stand are already both! Yeah!!!!!
OK, now really any good pab or something in London to watch race from Canada?

Silverstone is 6th July

I guess you meant June?

Anyway the Canadian GP is live on BBC so should be easy enough to find being shown (even if in your hotel room) Have a nice trip