Canadian GP BAR preview

4th June 2001 GRAND PRIX PREVIEW
Round Eight -- Canada

The Circuit

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is an unusual track. It is one of the most punishing tracks on brakes, gearboxes and engines. Set on an island in the St Lawrence River with downtown Montreal as the backdrop, the circuit is made up of long, fast straights, medium-speed chicanes and two slow hairpins. Downforce is not the issue it once was owing to a change to the circuit layout in 1999 but the revised track makes it very hard on brakes. Qualifying at the front of the grid will be vital to avoid getting tangled in the rush to the very tight first corner but it is a circuit that invites overtaking opportunities.

Last Year

Adapting a one-stop strategy for fuel and tyres for Jacques Villeneuve and Ricardo Zonta, the team looked to be in an extremely good position with both drivers running in the top six until nearly two-thirds of the way through the 69 lap race. Unfortunately with the onset of heavy rain the team had to adopt a two-stop strategy. As a result, Villeneuve and Zonta tumbled to 10th & 11th place respectively. Sadly Villeneuve's race ended when he tangled with Ralf Schumacher's Williams on lap 66, while Zonta continued and finished in eighth position.

Malcolm Oastler, Technical Director

"Having completed a successful three-day test in Magny-Cour we are looking forward to the special challenges of the Canadian Grand Prix. We made progress and gathered some important data during the test which gives us confidence going into the next round. Our aim is to finish in the points with both cars this weekend."

-BAR-