2008 Canadian GP preview: predictions

Posted on

| Written by

It looks like being nip and tuck between Ferrari and McLaren for victory at Montreal this weekend. And BMW might be in the mix with surprised championship contender Robert Kubica a candidate for victory at the track where he crashed heavily last year.

Who’s going to win the Canadian Grand Prix? These are my picks – make your predictions below.

Montreal was the scene of Lewis Hamilton’s maiden victory last year. It was exactly the type of circuit that played into McLaren’s hands with short corners and bumpy kerbs.

This year that picture seems to have changed. Ferrari’s pace in qualifying at Monte-Carlo, rumoured to be the result of their adoption of a ‘J-damper’ similar to what McLaren used last year, suggests they will not be anything like as far off the pace as they were last year.

Ferrari too have had excellent straight-line speed all year and it’s these two things that make me think they will be the team to beat this weekend.

But which of the Ferraris will be ahead? Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen have beat each other in three of the six races so far. Last year Massa headed an out-of-sorts Raikkonen before the Brazilian was disqualified. Both these drivers can be hard to read but I think Massa’s confidence high will give him the advantage.

McLaren aren’t going to be far behind though, and BMW will be in the mix and ready to pounce should the cars fall their way in a safety car period (there hasn’t been a Canadian Grand Prix without one since 2004).

I think we’ll see Massa on top with Hamilton leading the chase for McLaren. But Heikki Kovalainen’s going to be very close behind – he was in excellent form here last year. And I know I’ve said this before, but surely his luck has to change soon?

The second Ferrari will be third, but this could all change depending on whether there’s an unusual safety car period, and which Kimi Raikkonen shows up:

1. Felipe Massa
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Heikki Kovalainen

What’s your prediction for the top three in the Canadian Grand Prix? No one got the prediction right for Monaco but Cyanide came closest by accurately picking the top two.

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

Got a potential story, tip or enquiry? Find out more about RaceFans and contact us here.

26 comments on “2008 Canadian GP preview: predictions”

  1. Ok, I’ll put my faith into Kimi again, he seems to be more fired up this time from what he’s been saying in the media.

    1. Kimi
    2. Massa
    3. Hamilton

    I predict Kovalainen to have some crazy part failure while he’s in second place after about 15 laps.

  2. 1. Kimi
    2. Massa
    3. Heikki

    Not the way I want it, just how i think it may finish as Ferrari need to establish Kimi back in front of Massa and as I also think the Ferrari’s are going to be hard to beat here.

  3. I think that like Monaco it will be Mclaren.

    Hamilton
    Kovi
    Kubica

    I think that the Ferrari will fuel light and get the pole. With the weather predicted as wet, are we going to see Kimi getting ruffled and push his car too much….. hopefully!

  4. 1.Massa
    2.Hamilton
    3.Raikkonen

    Saturday.

    For Sunday:

    1.Massa
    2.Raikkonen
    3.Hamilton

  5. its predicted to be a wet weekend, so it should be exciting and hopefully a turn up for the books

  6. It appears a part of the weekend is going to be wet.

  7. Saturday:
    Kimi
    Hamilton
    Massa

    Sunday:
    Hamilton
    Massa
    Kubica

  8. 1) Kovalainen
    2) Massa
    3) Hamilton

    :)

  9. Qualifying:

    Hamilton
    Massa
    Kubica

    Race:

    Kubica
    Kovalinen
    Raikkonen

    I suppose that the race result is wishful thinking. But since rain is forecast for the whole weekend, and even thunderstorms are a strong possibility on race day, any prediction is as good as any.

  10. Scott Joslin
    6th June 2008, 16:04

    The weather is going to play its part again this weekend so there should be an odd turn up for the books

    1) Hamilton
    2) Kimi
    3) Webber

    Watch out for Vettle if it is wet and he can steer clear of trouble!

    And surely Kovi is due some luck

  11. Kimi
    Kubica
    Kovi

    Every time Kimi has an awful weekend he seems to bounce back with a win.

  12. Qualifying & Race:

    1.Kubica
    2.Massa
    3.Raikkonen

    4.Hamilton
    5.Heidfeld

  13. Felipe Leite
    6th June 2008, 16:52

    1 – Massa
    2 – Raikkonen
    3 – Kubica

  14. Lady Snowcat
    6th June 2008, 18:11

    Kimi
    Heikki
    Lewis

  15. William Wilgus
    6th June 2008, 18:44

    Massa, Kimi, Heikki

  16. I predict that Max will turn up and the Canadian motoring association will pull the plug on the event…

  17. 1. Massa
    2. Kubica
    3. Heikki

  18. 1.Kimi
    2.Lewis
    3.Robert

    …and if it rains..Sutil will come from the back of the pack and collect the points Kimi owes him.

  19. I will bet on Kubica, he has the momentum now (places 2,3,4,4,2). It seems to be wet race and thus, probably, a few SCs, so anything could happen (and probably will).
    Massa takes pole.

    1. Kubica
    2. Massa
    3. Alonso

  20. 1. Heidfeld
    2. Kimi
    3. Kov

    2008 Wall of champions:
    Massa
    Hamilton
    Fisi.

  21. Montreal doesn’t reward on-the-limit driving, so Massa to crash, and:

    1. Raikkonen
    2. Hamilton
    3. Kubica

  22. Quali:1.kimi
    2.kubica
    3.Hamilton

    race:1.hamilton
    2.kubica
    3.kimi

    wall of champions:button
    kovy

  23. 1) Kimi
    2) Massa
    3) Kubica

  24. Qualifying:
    1. Massa
    2. Hamilton
    3. Räikkonen

    Race:
    1. Hamilton
    2. Massa
    3. Rosberg

  25. (1) Kimi – he was on the pace early on in P2 and took time to do set-up work rather than go for a super-quick lap

    (2) Kubica – may get pole, plus revenge for last year’s crash

    (3) Hamilton – no rain, no win

    Massa is in trouble here, not his style of circuit, doesn’t have the consistent accuracy needed to be on the podium in CGV

  26. theRoswellite
    7th June 2008, 5:13

    As it must happen sometime………..for Robert K and BMW.

    Bucks-of-wash allows:

    1) Kubica
    2) Hamilton
    3) Raikkonen

    (Otherwise..LH, KR, PM.)

Comments are closed.