The circuit demands the utmost concentration - Rampf

Willy Rampf, Technical Director of the BMW Sauber F1 Teams, describes how the team from Munich and Hinwil has prepared for the seventh race of the season, and highlights the perils of the "Circuit Gilles Villeneuve".

"The combination of long straights and chicanes makes the Montreal course a medium-downforce track, for which we have developed a special aero package," says Rampf. "Alongside a modified front wing, this also features a completely new rear wing. In order to reduce drag, we will also be dispensing with some extra wings, including the one on the nose cone."

Montreal is known for its high strain on the brakes. For this reason, engineers equip the BMW Sauber F1.08 with "the largest possible brake ducts and very robust discs", as Rampf explains. The circuit also offers some high-speed sections. "There is a particularly good passing opportunity on the long straight before the final chicane, provided the top speed is right," says the German.

As in Monaco, Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone will provide all teams in Canada with the softest tyre compounds to give them good traction when accelerating out of the slow corners. The grip level is far from ideal at the start of the race weekend: the sessions in Canada will be held partly on public streets, which are still covered in dust - particularly on Friday. As a result, there is relatively low grip. "The circuit demands the utmost concentration on the part of the drivers, since it does not forgive even the smallest driving errors. There area a lot of walls and the track is always extremely dirty off the racing line," says Rampf.

Source BMW Sauber