Canadian GP is Lewis Hamilton’s big chance to put F1 title leader Nico Rosberg under pressure
Reigning champion sniffs glory bid at Montreal despite German heading intriguing race for the crown by 24 points
THE Canadian Grand Prix is an odd but fantastic one.
Nestled in the middle of the European season, the French speaking city of Montreal does have a European feel.
It also has the opportunity to throw up some classic races. Remember Jenson Button’s last lap win in the four-hour epic in 2011?
Well, it is unlikely the McLaren driver will be troubling the podium this time around as his car still lacks the pace of the Mercedes or the downforce achieved by Red Bull.
But this is Lewis Hamilton’s chance to take another huge chunk out of Nico Rosberg’s lead in the championship.
The German’s advantage has been slashed to 24 points following Hamilton’s unlikely win in Monte Carlo and his own poor performance.
That reduction, to less than a race win in terms of points, is a huge psychological boost to Hamilton, not to mention he has now broken his seven month duck.
It is difficult to believe looking back from when he clinched the title in Austin that it would take him until the end of May to reach the top step of the podium.
Nevertheless, he has shed that unwelcome record now and it is imperative that he follows up his win in Monaco with a win in Montreal.
This track has been a happy hunting ground in the past, too. And it will suit his power-superior Mercedes F1 car.
Really then, Hamilton is approaching a crunch moment in his title defence.
It is his first real chance to make up ground on Rosberg and score another win that could also be important in the duo’s psychological battle.
The biggest threat standing between Hamilton and victory is Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo.
The Aussie was left smarting after his team’s bungled pitstop in Monaco robbed him of a near-certain win.
He will no doubt be looking to make up for that disappointment in Canada, which is also the scene of his first victory in Formula One.
If he is to repeat that achievement then you can expect a huge party, which is handy because Formula One is set to unveil a new sponsor on Friday.
Dutch brewer Heineken has stumped up around £150million for a five year deal to become Formula One’s official beer.
So this year’s Canadian Grand Prix shows no sign of losing it’s fizz either.