Mercedes claimed the strongest beginning positions of any group in Canada however have some doubts over how sturdy they are going to be within the race.
George Russell took his first pole place of the season whereas group mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli certified on the second row for less than the second time this yr. However though the W16 is having fun with its best outing of the yr in Montreal, Russell says it stays extremely delicate to modifications in monitor situations.
“We had good race tempo on Friday but it surely will depend on the temperature,” he defined. “In apply, it was 5 levels cooler than it was at present and the automotive was simply in its candy spot. Now, it might probably simply go the opposite approach tomorrow within the race.
“If the solar comes out – it’s a two o’clock race, it was 4 o’clock [start for] qualifying at present – that makes fairly a little bit of distinction. So it’s not going to be a simple race.
“I’ve received some actually fast guys round me. We don’t know if it’s going to be a one-stop or a two-stop, so it gained’t be easy.”
Even a slight variation in monitor floor temperature may have a major bearing on Mercedes’ efficiency, stated Russell.
“In the mean time the tyres aren’t actually overheating. Any circuits we go to the place the tyres aren’t overheating, similar to right here, similar to Vegas final yr, we carried out rather well. McLaren, we noticed yesterday they had been actually on the again foot.
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“So it relies upon: it’s one thing actually so simple as it clouding over may give us a two-tenths benefit over McLaren. If the solar comes out, that form of neutralises the whole lot.
“I’d like to say one thing greater than that — it’s a bit of bit out of our arms proper now. However whatever the situations, we’re clearly beginning in the perfect place.”
Groups are additionally uncertain what to anticipate from the arduous tyre compound within the race, stated Russell. “We don’t understand how the race goes to pan out as a result of the arduous tyre is the one which we’re all going to make use of sooner or later within the race, and nobody is aware of if that can do the gap to present you a one-stop or not,” he stated. “So there’s that curveball in there.”
Russell additionally began from pole place on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve final yr however completed third within the rain-affected race. “Final yr was a poor race for me and I felt it may’ve gone in a different way,” he admitted.
“So clearly I’ll be doing my greatest to make up for final yr’s losses. But it surely’s completely completely different this yr.”
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2025 Canadian Grand Prix
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