Home hero Latifi under pressure as Canadian Grand Prix returns

The Canadian Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar after a two-year absence from the sport.

The Covid-19 pandemic prevented the F1 paddock from travelling to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix in 2020, with the race not being run for a second year in 2021.

The race will return to the cheers of most fans, with the beloved Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve to host the event once again, after the track made its debut in 1978.

Last weekend, Max Verstappen soared from third on the grid to lead a Red Bull 1-2 in Azerbaijan, while title rivals Ferrari failed to finish at the Baku City Circuit after reliability issues hit both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

With the Canadian Grand Prix one dominated by top speeds and long straights, it seems that Red Bull Powertrains may once again hold the advantage over the prancing horse.

Drivers will fight for victory for the ninth time this year across 70 laps of the 4.361km circuit. At the last race in 2019, Lewis Hamilton won ahead of Sebastian Vettel after the German was handed a five-second time penalty.

So, what are the main headlines heading into the race weekend?

Nicholas Latifi’s first and last home Grand Prix?

After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, rumours of Latifi’s future started to explode across the media with 2022 now set to be the Canadian’s last season with Williams.

Latifi made his debut with Williams in 2020 after several years in Formula 2, partnered by George Russell in his first two seasons. The Briton led the team in both years before moving on to Mercedes, and Latifi now finds himself being dominated by new teammate Alex Albon.

To sum up his season so far, it has been a rough start to F1’s new era, and he now finds himself at risk of losing his seat to reigning F2 champion Oscar Piastri.

With the deal set to be announced at this year’s British Grand Prix, it may just be a case of enjoying his remaining time in F1, including his upcoming home Grand Prix.

However, with over half of the season still remaining, Latifi still has the chance to show what he has to offer to other teams as well as outfits from other racing categories.

Porpoising bounces back into the headlines

F1’s latest mechanical menace, known to the teams as porpoising, once again reemerged after Hamilton was seen holding his back in pain after 51 trips down the kilometre-long straight in Baku.

The bouncing of the cars have been an issue for the teams since the cars first hit the track in pre-season testing at Barcelona, with attempts from all of the teams seemingly only able to reduce the phenomenon.

After Azerbaijan emphasised both the danger and the effect of porpoising, with drivers now facing possible health risks caused by this, it seems like an inevitable campaign for the FIA to make changes is beginning to emerge.

A similar track, porpoising will surely show its ugly face once again in Canada, and this could have extreme effects on the pecking order.

Ferrari eyeing return to early form in Canada

44 years ago, Gilles Villeneuve crossed the line to win the inaugural Canadian Grand Prix, being carried to victory by a scarlet Ferrari while teammate Carlos Reutemann took third.

Now, after seeming so strong in the opening races of 2022, the squad sit second in the constructor’s championship, 80 points behind title rivals Red Bull.

Following a double-DNF in Baku, and two more Ferrari-powered cars falling out of the race, a bounce back to form is needed if Leclerc and Sainz hope to reignite their title chances.

But, with the RB18 seeming stronger than ever, the team may need to rely on issue for the Austrian-based outfit if they hope to win, or focus on damage limitation as they look ahead to race weekends where they may be stronger.

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