Williams head to Canada in search of a podium

(Williams Martini Racing Team)

The Williams Martini Racing Team head to the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend following a mixed Grand Prix last time out in Monaco which saw Felipe Massa carve his way through the field after starting the race from 16th on the grid to finish the race in 7th place just behind McLaren's Jenson Button and in doing so the Brazilian has continued Williams points scoring. The Grove outfit have scored points in every race so far this season and are currently in 6th place in the Constructors championship equal with McLaren on 52.

Speaking ahead of the race this weekend Massa said:

'We aim to be more competitive in Canada and hopefully we can have a good performance. The top speed of the car is good and this will be our main strength. Montreal has hosted some great races in the past and this has a lot to do with the weather, so we need to be prepared as it can rain and often without warning. The city is a very relaxed place to be so it’s nice to go back there every year.'

Valtteri Bottas heads to the Canadian Grand Prix following his first retirement of the season last time out in Monaco when the Mercedes power unit in the back of his FW36 blew. However the Finn will not encounter a penalty as that engine had done the mandatory five Grand Prix events. Montreal has been a great track for Bottas as he qualified in third place here last year with Williams so he will be hoping for an equally good or better performance this season and will also be hoping to pick up more points for the team. Speaking to Williams website Bottas said:

'I have some great memories from Canada last year as I qualified my career best position of third. The track is such a contrast from the last race in Monaco, and I think it plays to the strengths of the car, such as good straight line speed. We are aiming to continue our record of points in every race so far this season. It’s a special track not only in the fact that it’s technically a street circuit, but that there are a lot of big braking zones and few fast corners.'

Williams Head of Vehicle Performance Rob Smedley said:

'Canada is a very special circuit due to the long fast straights and slow corners. We will take the same compounds as Monaco so we know how these tyres work from the last race. If the weather is cool we could suffer from tyre heating issues and if it’s hot then there is the chance of thermal degradation. Tyre issues are something we are aware of and so will be a focus throughout the weekend. Kerbing is also important in Montreal as being able to ride the kerbs over the two chicanes is key to a quick lap time. Our car is aerodynamically efficient which is vital on the long straights in Canada so we feel we are in good shape.'

©Ben Johnston 2014