Red Bull told to expect Ferrari fight around 'difficult' Canada

Since 1978, the Canadian Grand Prix from Montreal has been a consistent fixture on the Formula 1 calendar. 

The circuit in the Canadian metropolis often always delivers great races and is one of the favourite destinations for drivers.

Ex-F1 competitor Giedo van der Garde is eagerly anticipating the weekend, which marks the ninth round of the 2024 campaign.

In an interview with RacingNews365, van der Garde looks ahead to the event from Montreal, a race that he himself took part in during the 2013 campaign with Caterham. 

"For me personally, it was a tough race, but it is really an amazing circuit to drive.

“Everyone always thinks 'it's a very easy circuit because it's just a few straights and some chicanes', but actually it's just a very difficult, technical circuit.

"Basically it's just a street circuit, with a lot of consecutive combinations. You have to have a car that is good with braking, but also goes well over the kerbs. As a driver, you shouldn't always be too eager to want to brake a little later to gain time, because a good exit is also very important here.”

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As van der Garde mentioned, a crucial area of focus will be on the kerbs. In Monaco, they hindered Red Bull.

Will that problem trouble the Milton Keynes team again in Canada? According to van der Garde, there will be a challenge in the form of Ferrari.

"Ferrari is always good on a circuit with slow corners, where you need mechanical grip and can brake late."

But the former F1 driver expects that Red Bull will also find its form again in the North American country.

"Red Bull will definitely be good here as well. They have always won here in recent years with Max and have a super efficient car on the straights.

"Especially with DRS open, they are just very strong. So I think it's going to be a nice battle between Ferrari and Red Bull.

As for McLaren, van der Garde proclaimed: "They don't have that efficiency on the straights, so in my opinion, it's really going to be a nice battle between Ferrari and Red Bull."

Red Bull's battle with Ferrari, among others, has been present for several races. It's something that was rarely seen last year when Verstappen dominated the campaign.

“This is very important for the sport. Last season was of course fantastic and unprecedented, but a little bit of excitement and other drivers going to win races is always good for the sport. 

“We have obviously seen different winners in the last few races and different teams winning.

"That's nice to see and you want to see that. Of course, you don't want it to become a parade, with the same one constantly winning. 

“So I think it's very good for the sport."