Fernando Alonso has called the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix weekend a ‘gamble,’ thanks to the unpredictable weather forecast predicting changeable conditions.
In the first practice session on Friday, track workers had to drain the circuit due to an intense hailstorm, cutting the session short to just 39 minutes. A dry line eventually formed, allowing for a few soft tyre laps late in the session. The second practice session also started on a damp surface but quickly worsened.
With more mixed weather predicted for Saturday and Sunday, Alonso noted that the weekend would hinge on which teams made the best decisions regarding tyre choices and set-ups. ‘It’s going to be a gamble always on which tyre to put on at which moment,’ Alonso stated after topping FP2 ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll.
Alonso described the day as tricky for everyone, with few laps run in either fully dry or fully wet conditions. ‘We were in the middle of nowhere,’ he said. ‘But it could be like this in qualifying and the race, so it’s still very useful information. The right decision can gain you five seconds; the wrong decision, you are out of the race.’
Additionally, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has brand-new asphalt, which Alonso has given a thumbs-up so far. ‘It feels okay,’ the Spaniard said, though he noted that it was not very clean due to the storm. ‘It’s quite dusty, but at the same time, it feels quite good grip, so I think the new tarmac is good. We just need to test it in proper wet conditions.’
Pierre Gasly of Alpine is also embracing the unpredictable conditions. ‘It’s going to make the rest of the weekend more exciting,’ he said. Having scored his first points of the season in Monaco, Gasly sees this as another opportunity. ‘We know Monaco was a one-off and a very particular track. Hopefully, the conditions can spice things up and open more opportunities for us.’
With mixed weather conditions and a newly laid track surface, the Canadian Grand Prix is setting up to be an unpredictable and thrilling event. Teams will need to be sharp with their strategies to navigate this ‘gamble’ successfully.
Source: Motorsport
