After the team’s third double-points finish of the season in Monaco, focus immediately switches to Montréal, a track which places emphasis on power, balancing downforce and heavy braking.
Nico Hülkenberg made a return to the points last time out with a hard-fought eighth place. Now the German is determined to follow that up in Canada for the seventh Grand Prix of the 2018 season.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Canadian Grand Prix?
Nico Hülkenberg: Canada is a fantastic weekend. The city, the atmosphere and the circuit itself all make it an enjoyable Grand Prix. The track has a nice flow to it, despite being slightly green and dirty when we arrive as it’s part street, part race track. There are big walls on the exit of corners, as well as some kerbs to ride. It’s an enjoyable lap to drive.
Q: What does the car have to go through in Montréal?
N.H.: Canada is about top speed and finding the right downforce balance. There are a couple of long straights with hard braking zones at the end of them. It’s probably one of the toughest circuits out there for brakes, and you need confidence to be able to stop at the same rate, lap after lap, especially when you’re trying to go deep into corners. Setting up the car to ride kerbs in Canada is also important to ensure a fast lap time.
Q: What’s the Canadian atmosphere like to experience?
N.H.: It’s usually a really good atmosphere in Canada, you can see how much the locals relish Formula 1 when it comes to town and we always receive a nice reception there. The hairpin is where you feel that buzz, as you’re surrounded by grandstands and that creates a lot of noise!
Q: Where can a race be won and lost in Canada?
N.H.: Overtaking opportunities are fairly limited in Canada, but the final chicane is the best place to send one! In fact, it’s probably the place which can make or break a lap. Strategy could be interesting again, as we’ll be running the Hypersoft tyre, like in Monaco. There’ll be some options in that area, and lap times are likely to be very fast!
Q: How does The Hulk reflect on Monaco?
N.H.: We bounced back well after missing Q3 in Monaco, making the most of a reverse strategy for some good points in the race. I think it was a bright weekend overall and important for the team to have both cars inside the top ten. Now we want to build on that by repeating it in Montréal, only slightly higher up the order!
