Australian F1 driver Mark Webber is sensing a need for speed at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, after having paced his way through the year’s slowest circuit in Monaco.
Webber finished third on the streets of the Mediterranean principality a fortnight ago – his second podium finish of the season.
But the 36-year-old Red Bull pilot is keen to hit the fast-paced straights at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, which encourages top speeds of more than 310km/h.
“After Monaco, which is the slowest circuit of the year, anything feels quick,” Webber said.
“The track is like another street circuit because the walls are very close in a few places and there isn’t much racing here during the year, so the asphalt rubbers-in throughout the weekend.
“The end-of-straight speeds are pretty high, so you need lots of horsepower and you also need good stopping power because you’re braking hard into some chicanes and hairpins.
“It’s an interesting challenge for the drivers and we usually get good races here.”
Webber finished seventh in Canada last year, with his best result coming in 2011 with third place in a rain-delayed event.
While the wet weather worked in his favour two years ago, Webber isn’t sure how things will pan out on Sunday.
“The weather looks dodgy on Friday and Saturday, yet we have a dry race in prospect so it could be a challenging race from a tyre wear point of view,” he said.
“I’m sure it’ll be an exciting weekend.”