07/06/2010
NEWS STORY
The return of the Canadian Grand Prix has restored one of the sport's best loved races to the Formula One calendar, but it also brings back one of the most technically demanding power circuits. The composition of long straights and slow corners demands an efficient low downforce car set-up with excellent stability under braking, coupled with good traction sustained through the corner and good engine torque when exiting. The lap is very stop-start and thus one of the toughest circuits on brakes and engines, requiring engineers to pay close attention to brake wear and engine telemetry throughout the 70 laps.
The minimal downforce nature of the circuit requires teams to optimise engine performance and reduce drag where possible to accelerate quickly out of the slow corners or chicanes, power down the straight and remain stable under braking to negotiate the next sequence of the lap. The availability and performance of "F-duct" systems will be important for those teams still engaged in developing their cars for 2010.
The entire lap is completed in less than 80 seconds and while the engine is only run at full throttle for around 60% of the lap, top end performance will be important, something that Cosworth engines should relish. The CA2010 has already powered AT&T Williams into the top six fastest cars through the speed trap on several occasions this season, including the last race in Turkey, so the Canadian Grand Prix should certainly play to its strengths.
Canada may have been omitted from the 2009 calendar but it is one of Formula One's longest serving race tracks, having hosted its first Grand Prix in 1978. The 2010 event will be the 31st time Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has welcomed Formula One.
To experience the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in more detail click here