Canadian Grand Prix – 2006

[Blake]

​

The famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – home to the 2006 Canadian Grand Prix. An interesting circuit, which usually holds an interesting Grand Prix. This circuit requires a lot from both car and driver, as it has long straights, challenging corners, and very little margin for error in some key parts of the circuit.

Ferrari are really talking up their chances for the North American rounds of the championship, and these rounds could be dominated by Michael Schumacher. That said, Renault are getting better and better, and no one else has really had an answer in recent rounds.

It will be an interesting double header, and this could make or break any chance that Ferrari has of challenging Renault for this championship.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Remember what happened last year? Both Renaults went out. If I remember correctly, and chances are I don't, Fisi went out for a bad something or other, and Alonso hit the wall.

I hate this race. I hope this years race goes well for Renault. This could really secure things for them, and might make me feel different about this place. Chances are, it wont.

Practice is tomorrow at 11:AM for a change, instead of 3 or 4:AM.

 

[DQuaN]

I think a drive shaft broke for Fisi.

I remember Button was strong last year before going out. He qualified well and, although was of the pace of the McMercs, was still running strong until he went out (Hit the wall IIRC).

After a 2 week break I really hope Honda have made some progress in catching the top teams.

 

[Blake]

In 2005 Fisichella had a hydraulic failure. Alonso clipped the wall and broke his suspension, and Button hit the wall of champions…

 

[Andrew R]

I'm looking forward to the race, for some reason I've been excited about it. I hope McMerc can carry on their performance from last year, I don't think it's too farfetched, they did alright at Silverstone. I'm tipping Alonso to be all over it though.

 

[TMM]

After a 2 week break I really hope Honda have made some progress in catching the top teams.

Lets hope so, things couldn't be much worse for Button...

 

[richie85]

I hope Alonso retires the coming 2 GPs and that Schumi wins both of them. I want to see a classic championship battle, not like last year where in the last couple of races he only had to finish in the points to be champ. Montreal is always a brilliant GP, I don't really remember any boring ones. '95 was great with Alesi winning his first and only GP and '98 was spectacular in many ways, so was '99. Many opportunities for overtaking, especially for today's standards. The Spanish and British GPs are almost always boring, so I am really looking forward to a nice GP for a change.

 

[Kylehnat]

I want to see a classic championship battle, not like last year where in the last couple of races he only had to finish in the points to be champ.

Why are you singling out last year? There hasn't been a good championship battle since 1998. 2003 was okay, but we all knew Kimi wasn't going to do it.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Here we have MS in his fashionable sweater/hoodie

Alonso learning to walk(not safe near water)

And the new competition for the Super Aguris

 

[amp88]

If Schumacher doesn't gain at least 10 points on Alonso in the next two races I think the championship is gone. I'm not really a fan of the Canadian GP, maybe we'll see a good battle this year to change my mind. Canada's been good to Ferrari in the last few years (a combination of car superiority and other people DNF'ing), so I'm hoping for a continuation of that.

 

[Carl.]

I can hear the engines from home, I'm less than 2 miles away. I thought we wouldn't this year because of the V8s though.

Radio communication of the day:

Monteiro, right after crashing into the "Bienvenue à Quebec" wall, in front of the pits: "I've hit the wall"

Pit crew: "Yeah... we've seen that."

 

[amp88]

Radio communication of the day:

Monteiro, right after crashing into the "Bienvenue à Quebec" wall, in front of the pits: "I've hit the wall"

Pit crew: "Yeah... we've seen that."

Reminds me of when Sato was out in the wet and spun off, hitting the wall. Just after he stopped the team came on over the radio and told him to watch out because it was slippery. He replied "I know, I've crashed."

 

[Dougboy]

Hopefully, both the renault will retire once again to make things interesting. Im quite bored of watching renault domination

 

[z-reserve]

I can hear the engines from home, I'm less than 2 miles away. I thought we wouldn't this year because of the V8s though.

How I envy you!! I'm about to move over there next month so I'll have to wait a year to experience this. (well, there's still Molson Indy ^^

Favorite race of the season, rarely a dull one. And yes, that 'wall of champions', opposite to the pits, with the welcome message on it.

 

[Lee]

I love this race personally, one of the better tracks on the calender thats for sure.

I would like to see Kimi do well, McLaren seem to be getting on top of their troubles now and although it's far too late, it would be nice to see him challenge Alonso and MS.

I can see BMW getting into the points and maybe at a push Williams. Honda has troubles and with the departure of Geoff Willis (SP) it surely can't help their performance.

And maybe, just maybe, Super Aguri could edge out Midland.

 

[STLbarcelona5]

Well with there being rain every day here near NYC, and then up at my lakehosue in NH. I'd love to see if they get any rain in Montreal. The forecast gives it around 30%, but that really depends on where you're checking.

 

[daan]

Due to the world cup, ITV have had to make some changes to their schedules.

Here's the revised ones for the Brits.

Live qualifying: Saturday 24 June 1800-1930 ITV4

Qualifying: Sunday 25 June 0000-0145 ITV1

Live race: Sunday 25 June 1700-1950 ITV1

Live race: Sunday 25 June 1800-2000 ITV4

Highlights: Monday 26 June 0035-0135 ITV1

Highlights: Tuesday 27 June 0410-0505 ITV4

 

[Impreza04]

oh dear.. now i've got to watch ITV4

 

[Carl.]

I know this is only a practice, but still... Sauber-BMW got 3rd and 4th behind Renault?



1 1 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:15.455
2 2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:15.521
3 17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 1:15.554
4 16 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 1:15.616
5 3 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.902
6 5 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:15.959
7 4 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.975
8 11 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:16.334
9 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:16.348
10 21 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 1:16.493
11 15 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 1:16.660
12 12 Jenson Button Honda 1:16.673
13 9 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1:16.710
14 14 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 1:16.765
15 10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 1:16.829
16 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 1:16.928
17 8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:17.503
18 18 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 1:17.747
19 7 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:18.212
20 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:18.926
21 23 Franck Montagny Super Aguri-Honda 1:19.160
22 19 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 1:19.531

 

[Solid Lifters]

Qualifying Results

1 1 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:15.350 1:14.726 1:14.942

2 2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:15.917 1:15.295 1:15.178

3 3 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.376 1:15.273 1:15.386

4 8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:16.455 1:15.506 1:15.968

5 5 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:15.716 1:15.139 1:15.986

6 10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 1:16.404 1:15.269 1:16.012

7 4 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.251 1:15.253 1:16.228

8 12 Jenson Button Honda 1:16.594 1:15.814 1:16.608

9 11 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:16.735 1:15.601 1:16.912

10 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:16.259 1:15.555 1:17.209

11 17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 1:16.493 1:15.832

12 15 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 1:16.585 1:15.833

13 16 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 1:15.906 1:15.885

14 7 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:16.702 1:15.888

15 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 1:16.581 1:16.116

16 14 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 1:16.514 1:16.301

17 9 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1:16.985

18 21 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 1:17.016

19 18 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 1:17.121

20 19 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 1:17.140

21 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:19.088

22 23 Franck Montagny Super Aguri-Honda 1:19.152

 

[Carl.]

It was only a practice, finally.

Apparently setups are very sensible to minor temperature changes in Montreal... Great run from Trulli and Rosberg, let's just hope their cars will last for the whole race.

 

[z-reserve]

Yes, bummer for the bimmers, now they'll have to survive the start and make their way through traffic. Efficient settings simply differs between sessions and they simply got their play foiled. Webber was reportedly blocked by Rosberg who was making an aggressive lap to make it into the second heat so one can wonder what this will bring to team chemistry. Really nice time by Trulli, too.

 

[Slick Rick]

Did anyone else think the engines sounded different today??
It sounded like they had a bit more growl and lower revs, especially the Ferrari's...

 

[MagpieRacer]

i missed the live quali on tv but watched live timing, my dad didnt wanna watch it as it was on itv4 and could watch it on my TV.

Gonna try get the highlights later.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Wow, Renault's new aerodynamic work really payed off.

Montagny must be still worn out from Le Mans.

 

[StarMountainKid]

The battle between Fisi and Alonso could be dangerous for both of them, benifiting Kimi...but watch out for Michael's pit strategy, although he may be too far off the pace. Trulli is an unknown factor in all of this.

 

[Kylehnat]

Montagny must be still worn out from Le Mans.

I bet the Pescarolo is easier to drive for 8 hours than the Super Aguri is to drive for 2 hours.

 

[Blake]

The battle between Fisi and Alonso could be dangerous for both of them, benifiting Kimi...but watch out for Michael's pit strategy, although he may be too far off the pace. Trulli is an unknown factor in all of this.

Welcome to GTP!

To be honest, I don’t see Fisichella being a factor in this race, at all. He’ll be lucky to beat Räikkönen and Schumacher, let alone Alonso.

I think Trulli will make life very difficult for Schumacher unless Schumacher gets past him in the first lap. Depending on Trulli’s strategy, he’ll probably hold up a lot of people that could, otherwise, be moving forward.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I bet the Pescarolo is easier to drive for 8 hours than the Super Aguri is to drive for 2 hours.

At least he was able to get 2nd place there.

 

[Kylehnat]

A battle between Alonso and Fisichella is not going to happen. If Fisi is able to give Alonso any challenge at all, Fernando will just let him go.