F1 needs tracks like Montreal, says Sergio Perez ahead of Canadian GP
The Mexican believes circuits like Montreal pose a great challenge for the drivers and punishes them for the mistakes made.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve named in the honour of Canadian Formula 1 driver Gilles, father of 1997 champion Jacques, has hosted world championship races for 40 years in three different spells.
The first period ran from 1978 until 1986, followed by the second spell running from 1988 until 2008, while the current phase started in 2010.
The Canadian Grand Prix forms as one of the oldest and prestigious events on the F1 calendar, with the circuit posing a great challenge for the drivers at all levels.
It's final corner is famously known as the 'Wall of Champions' after crashes for world champions Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, J Villeneuve, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg.
The threat of being punished for even a small mistake is what excites Force India's Sergio Perez. "I think the sport needs more tracks similar to Montreal where mistakes are punished," he said.
"These old-school tracks excite the drivers and fans, and usually produce entertaining races.
"I feel confident about Montreal. It’s a track where I’ve had some good races and I like the challenge of the circuit.
"It’s all about being late on the brakes and aggressive through the chicanes. You have to be precise too with the walls so close to the track," he added.
In the five outings in Canada, Perez has had one podium (2012) and a lone points (2016) finish - with three race finishes (2013, 2014, 2015) in 11th.
The Mexican will be eager to get back into the points after the last race in Monaco, which ended his 15-race streak started in the 2016 German Grand Prix.
Teammate Esteban Ocon will also like to get his name on the points board in Canada on his first race outing at the iconic circuit.
"Montreal is another new track for me so I’m going to be on the learning curve on Friday," said the Frenchman.
"I know the lap from playing video games and being on the simulator, and I’ve always liked the circuit characteristics.
"After the bad luck in Monaco I want to get back to scoring points in Montreal. The car is getting better with each race and I think I’m fully up-to-speed now.
"I’m really happy with the team and the way we work together – we’ve already built up a good understanding and they know what I need from the car.”
The Indian outfit maintains fourth in the standings after six rounds in the 2017 season, and is 24 points ahead of fifth placed Toro Rosso.
After Red Bull recently conceded to a tough spell coming up for the Austrian outfit, Force India will fancy its chances to close the gap to them in the standings.
The Montreal circuit has been a mixed one for the Silverstone-based team in terms of results, with the best of fifth place coming in the 2014 edition courtesy Nico Hulkenberg.
[Image courtesy: Force India F1 Team]
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Comments (5)
And Force India needs a new strategist. PATHETIC what happened to Ocon. I've lost all respect for Perez. Selfish move cost Ocon a podium.
Glad to say the changes aren't very noticeable at all, WoC looks pretty much the same. techpro barrier at turn 4-6 is visually the most noticeable but surprisingly I'd say in a good way! right on the outside of the track, safer technology implemented and retaining original profile of the track, seems almost too sensible...... tarmaccing of chicane 8-9 still a major bug bear tho, not only visually poor to look at on tv but removes part of the risk of pushing thru a really tricky part of the track.
The Wall of Champions has been changed already though. F1's governing body has gone complete pansy and declared it "too dangerous". Apparently the new cars are "too wide" for the track, even though cars before 2009 were just as wide...
www.planetf1.com/news/new-angle-for-montreals-wall-of-champions/
Let's see how much 'challenge' remains then. Still to be tested on how the changes will come into effect.
this makes me sad :(. they had already gone too far by tarmaccing the whole of the outside of the chicane. seriously they seem intent on taking all the showcase corners of f1 and removing all the thrill of watching the best racers in the world...
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