The Canadian GP preview

If you work on the assumptions that a) Red Bull's F1 involvement is all about brand awareness and b) there's no such thing as bad publicity, then Turkey was a roaring success for the Austrian team. The only problem was the two McLarens that finished ahead of Mark Webber on the track.

While Red Bull took a while to get its story straight in the days after Webber and Sebastian Vettel's clash, the team has since worked hard to promote an image of harmony. Nevertheless, while there will be a paddock full of people scrutinising Red Bull for any hint of internal disharmony in Canada this weekend, the team itself will be focused on trying to avoid being beaten again.

And at Montreal that could be a problem, as the high-drag characteristics of the RB6 aren't expected to sit particularly well with the circuit's long straights. That could create another opportunity for McLaren to take another slice out of Red Bull's lead, but Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button won't be the only drivers who sense an opportunity this weekend.

Ferrari has made decent progress, as has Mercedes, and it's easy to imagine either team having a hand in dictating the shape of the race. But Canada is also one of those circuits where weird things can happen, not least because it is virtually a breeding ground for safety cars.

On top of that, it makes some special demands of the cars, and anyone who has been even vaguely marginal on brake wear in the last few races will have slightly sweaty palms on Sunday.

Taking all that into account, this could be one of those races that allows one of the less favoured teams to shine - Renault and Force India, we're looking in your direction.

Weather

*The score is calculated by each driver's position (1st = 1 point, 24 for a DNF and 25 if not present). Lowest score wins.

Moment from history

The Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve has produced its share of surprises over the years, but even by its own high standards, 1989 is a standout.

Things had started routinely enough, with the McLarens dominating in qualifying and Alain Prost just edging Ayrton Senna off pole. Rain in the lead-up to the race was the first hint that things could get interesting, and Ferrari's Nigel Mansell and Benetton's Sandro Nannini wasted little time in delivering.

The pair opted to pit for slicks at the end of the parade lap, but under the mistaken impression that the race had started, they shot out of the pitlane at speed while the rest of the field sat motionless on the grid behind them. Both were black-flagged.

Prost led when the race started for real and pitted for slicks at the end of the first lap, but vanished from the race with a suspension failure not long afterwards. A flurry of tyre changes scrambled the order over the laps that followed, with the Williamses of Riccardo Patrese and Thierry Boutsen eventually emerging in the top two spots.

Boutsen pitted for slicks only for the conditions to worsen almost immediately, while Patrese reaped the rewards of staying out and rapidly built a huge lead. Derek Warwick had also stayed out on wets and found himself in second ahead of Nicola Larini's Osella.

Further back though, Senna was finally on the correct tyres and closing rapidly. He passed Larini for third; the Osella stopping with an electrical problem shortly afterwards. An engine failure accounted for Warwick, which left Senna in the lead and looking unstoppable.

More drama was to come, first for Patrese, who developed a problem with his undertray and lost second to Boutsen, and then for Senna, whose engine exploded just three laps from the finish. That left a surprised Boutsen to take his first grand prix victory, an unexpected 1-2 for Williams, and the first win for Williams-Renault.e

From the forum

It could be anywhere between Red Bull finding dominating or another real battle between McLaren and them. What might make it more interesting is that everyone will have to keep an eye on brake wear, besides fuel and tyre consumption. For some reason I don't think both Red Bulls will make it through okay. Watch out for dark horse Ferrari.
Atreiu

McLaren's top speed will be key asset in Montreal. And it will be re-enforced with every SC application as they will have another chances to jump places. McLaren also showned in last years they have good suspension for kerb riding, which is important in Canada. I still think it would be surprise if RBR does not get pole, but in race they will have it way harder.
Gemini

The RB won't suddenly become a bad car, a great car is good everywhere. Pole will be a very close run thing and I can see Webber taking it with Lewis 2. However I can see the race being decided by a safety car. My sneaky suspicion is a Jenson win with another smart tyre call. Stormsky68