Rivals expecting Ferrari to be strong in Canada
Mercedes could have a tougher challenge on its hands this weekend in Canada.
Although the German team has proved utterly dominant in 2019, winning all six races so far, the concept of Ferrari's car is tipped to be strong in Montreal.
"The track characteristics present a different challenge, given that top speed, braking efficiency and traction are the main considerations," said Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto.
Indeed, it is the corners where Ferrari is struggling this year, and a Mercedes engineer told Auto Motor und Sport: "We only have three corners there to make up time".
Engineers estimate Ferrari's advantage on the Montreal straights at as much as 7 tenths in total, adding: "On the brakes and traction, Ferrari is no worse than us."
But even if Ferrari is better in Canada, it will not considerably boost the Italian team's dwindling title chances.
"We know we're not competitive enough right now," Binotto acknowledged. "For the time being we haven't got any more changes coming on the car that will have a significant effect on the problems we have encountered."
Canada, though, may be an outlier, and Toto Wolff thinks it will be "a huge challenge" for Mercedes.
"I expect Ferrari to be a little more competitive in Canada," agrees Red Bull-Honda's Max Verstappen, "which makes it a bit more difficult for us."
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What with the predictable outcome of the Formula 1 races I have found the last three years packed with nothing but tedium and boredom. If F1 is to continue there needs to be changes made in order for the spectacle to be worthy of watching. Winners of races, real races, are not a foregone conclusion but are contested by many with the outcome unknown but not with F1. We all know exactly who will win and probably be second. Only third place is in contention. Sorry state of affairs. I have been and probably will remain a staunch supporter and viewer of F1 but my patience is being tried.
"...Canada, though, may be an outlier, and Toto Wolff thinks it will be "a huge challenge" for Mercedes...."
O puuuleeeze! Not again, Toto. Don't you get tired of being right all the time?
It is beyond me how a sport that represents the pinnacle of achievement in it's field, is so boring and predictable and continues to be supported by ownership (Liberty Media) They could double the viewership if they made changes that involved parity and produced passing and dicing and late braking etc. I the 70's 15 cars had a strong chance of winning any race and why was that FORD COSWORTH ENGINE was the powerplant in 1974 64 different drivers competed with a Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 in 15 grand prixs 2 had Ferrai engines an 4 had BRM engines Ford won 12 rounds shared by 5 different drivers
Please, stop the parity nonsense. Formula 1 is about excellence - in engineering, driving, organisation and management. It is not a parity formula. From time to time genius will achieve level s that others can't match. At these times we are privelaged to watch.
At the moment MB and Lewis Hamilton are giving expression to genius. I am not a follower of either but I am amazed at the skill I am witnessing.
May it always be thus.
At least you are upfront by saying you Don,t follow the sport and. Stumbled on this vine by mistake .it is no longer a competition it is an exhibition and therefore is predictable and doesn't require 2 hours
You can bank on the 2019 Ferrari team to accomplish - continue making errors/blunders...