F1 has landed in Canada where, on Thursday, the usual press conferences drivers took place. The 2026 regulations were discussed, in addition to discussions about the increasingly close competition. Not only is the fight heating up in the midfield, but also at the front. Red Bull (5 wins), Ferrari (2 wins) and McLaren (1 win) are all major protagonists in 2024.
NORRIS: “I WOULD SAY FERRARI IS THE FAVORITE”
Ferrari is fresh off a big win in Monte Carlo. Charles Leclerc dominated the entire weekend, with only Oscar Piastri within touching distance at the end of qualifying. The Monegasque got the better of Oscar Piastri, who was very competitive for McLaren – demonstrating the MCL38’s progress in slow-speed corners.
The updates brought to Miami have given a crucial boost to the MCL38, especially at low speed. Andrea Stella, team principal of the Wokinf team, says there has been a better leap forward than expected. McLaren is trying to understand the reason for this as they work to bring further developments.
The Montreal circuit can be considered a stop-and-go track. Attacking the curbs is important, alongside excellent braking and traction. Top speed is also critical, especially for overtaking on race day.
“We should still be very close, and I think it’s impossible to say which of us, Ferrari or Red Bull, will be in front. This is what makes current F1 so exciting,” said Lando Norris, who then wanted to go further.
“If I had to make a bet, I would probably bet on Ferrari, which I think is the favourite. Due to its high top speed, but also because I think it can adapt better to the track.”
This analysis from Norris leaves us somewhat perplexed since the SF-24 certainly doesn’t excel in the speed trap. In the last few events, it became quite clear that top speed is a weakness for the Maranello squad.
MANY TECHNICAL FACTORS IMPACT THE THREE LEADING CARS
Helmut Marko thinks similarly to Lando Norris, who considers Ferrari the favourite in round 9 of the season.
“The SF-24 is the best on curbs, and above all, it goes fast on all tracks,” said the consultant of the Anglo-Austrian team. The RB20, on the other hand, has a problem with passing over curbs. This issue is highlighted when Ferrari and McLaren can elect a relatively soft set-up and manage them so effectively.
However, in Canada, we will return to using less extreme setups from this point of view. This should see the difficulties from the team based in Milton Keynes somewhat mitigated. Added to this astrix is the strong probability of rain (60%) in each session. There is still a reasonable chance of rain on Sunday.
Wet conditions would minimise the impact of curbs on performance. In addition, the new and very smooth track surface should have fewer bumps. This should help ease one of the obstacles Perez and Verstappen have faced in the RB20.
Precisely in connection with the possible wet weekend, Mclaren must also be taken into great consideration, a team that has always been strong in very wet track conditions and which is in a very positive moment. However, Lando Norris wanted to lower expectations because, as Leclerc put it: “Going into the weekend, no one wants to say they are favourites.
“It is more important to throw the ball to the opponent”, the Monegasque said with a smile when asked to comment on Norris’ prediction.
“I will never say that we are the favourites this weekend, and the same goes for them,” concluded the winner of the last Grand Prix
