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Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
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Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
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10 Jun 2012Montreal, Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
The first chicane is difficult to get right. The turn-in point is blind because you can’t see the kerb and you have to get that right in order to get the second bit right.
The second chicane requires an element of patience. It drops away from you in the middle and you’ve got to try and get a clean exit.
The hairpin isn’t a great corner, but it’s fun on the drivers’ parade. The grandstands are huge and the fans make a lot of noise.
| 2011 winner | Jenson Button |
| Mark’s place | 3rd |
| Race date | 10 Jun 2012 |
| Circuit name | Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve |
| No. of laps | 70 |
| Circuit length | 4.361 km |
| Race distance | 305.270 km |
| Lap record | 1:13.622 – R Barrichello (2004) |
In many ways, this race is similar to Melbourne. The weather doesn’t know what it’s doing most of the time; sometimes it’s scorching and at other times it’ll piss down with rain. And like Melbourne, Montreal definitely wakes up for the race. The people embrace it and the fans are very vocal. They’re all over the drivers’ parade lap.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is the first low downforce track of the year and the brakes are always an issue. I’ve never driven for a team that hasn’t had a problem with brakes and I don’t imagine it’ll be any different this year. The combination of the moveable rear wing and KERS means we’ll see higher top speeds than last year, so the energy in the brakes is going to be very high.
It’s a technical circuit. You need a lot of things working for you, such as good traction and a car that rides the kerbs, and you’ve got to be very accurate. The barriers are close in a couple of places and I touched the wall on the outside of the final corner – the Wall of Champions – in qualifying last year. Luckily, I got away with it.
It’s good for F1 to be in North America, and Canada in particular. At school I loved studying national flags and Canada’s Maple Leaf always appealed to me. I really wanted to go there, although I can’t really tell you why. Maybe it was the grizzly bears. I’ve been to Mont Tremblant, about one hour’s drive from the track, and it got my attention when I saw signs for those bears…
AS A MATTER OF FACT…
- Mark’s best results in Canada are two fifth places, in 2005 and 2010.
- The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is the only track in F1 that’s subjected to two extremes of weather. The temperature in the middle of winter drops to minus 30 degrees, while in summer it peaks at plus 35.
- Alan Jones, the last Australian world champion, clinched his 1980 world title with victory in that year’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
- There has been only one Canadian world champion in history: Jacques Villeneuve.
Comments
Daniel
POSTED May 31st, 2011
Big opportunity to improve on last years result. This could be the week that Marks season takes off!
Petra
POSTED June 02nd, 2011
Hi Mark, a bit of bad luck in Monaco
but you arrived safely and you’re still strong in the competition.I loved your overtaking maneuver, so clean and spectacular among so many collisions. You’re a brilliant driver. And hey one guy really couldn’t shut up last week…..very entertaining 
Can’t wait for Canada where real racing will be back. Good luck there!!
Have a nice weekend and may be time to watch MotoGP .
All the best from China
richard
POSTED June 06th, 2011
Hi mark, this is your weekend in canada. your driving so well but you need a bit of luck to go your way (pitstops)good luck mate.
ChannelSenna
POSTED June 07th, 2011
Hi Mark, need to lengthen your gear ratios mate will help deal with the tyre wear and settle your car down a bit looks a fraction narley compared to sebs. Good luck in Canada mate always kickin’ ya home go you good thing!
Daniel
POSTED June 07th, 2011
I think Seb could struggle with the low downforce setup and this could provide Mark with the opportunity to produce another consistant result and make up some ground on Seb.
Jason
POSTED June 08th, 2011
Hi Mark, All the best this weekend and for the rest of the year. I pick up 30k if you finish higher than Jenson at the end of the year. Go you good thing
Biff
POSTED June 09th, 2011
Hi Mark, all the best for Canada, if you can only nail the start your going to be sweet
Dina A.
POSTED June 09th, 2011
Enjoy the weekend and the race in Montreal Mark, hope to see you on TOP..:))
Best of luck!!
Re Bahrain: RESPECT! You’re the only driver in F1, willing to tell it as it is…
Mark Webber = excellent driver, elite athlete, honest person, great guy !!!
KEEP GOING CHAMP!
Andy
POSTED June 09th, 2011
Comon Mark, I would love to see u get that Grin off Vettels face. Go hard mate.
Bretto
POSTED June 12th, 2011
Smoke em up in quali Mark put her on pole mate you got the best car…just think all those years you spent in the bucket of bolts struggling for 1 meazly championship point now you got a shot at the championship go get em son for you and all of us! 
Bretto
POSTED June 12th, 2011
PS i’m driving from Canberra to Brisbane next week can i borrow the RB7 bloody long trip?
mariella
POSTED June 12th, 2011
Isn´t a good saturday, hope the car will be ready to the qualy.
Dec w
POSTED June 12th, 2011
I will be watching tomorrow on tv anxiously, hope kers is all sorted. Good luck I’m sure u will do well, a win would make mine and many others day!
Ben
POSTED June 12th, 2011
All the best for today Mark. Backing you 100%.
Ben
POSTED June 13th, 2011
Well done Mark, very proud of you. Its been a long day but I stayed all the the way to the end.
BBQ at my house anytime. Good luck for the European GP.
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Hi Mark, studying flags? Hehe… it seems it would forgotten the british and the royal flag…
). Nevertheless… I wish you all the best for Canada!