'Stroll and Latifi are not here what Verstappen is at Zandvoort'

The Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is always a special occasion for Jacques Villeneuve, as the track bears his father's name. But according to the outspoken former F1 champion, the race is also enormously alive among the locals.

"The people in Montreal love Formula 1," Villeneuve states to the NOS. According to him, the Canadians do not love one driver, they love all drivers. That is also one of the reasons why the atmosphere is always good at the Grand Prix, just like at Monza, Silverstone and Zandvoort. Especially this year, because people had to miss the race twice in a row due to COVID-19.

Little hope for the Canadian drivers

That there is no huge support for local drivers according to Villeneuve is striking, given that there are currently two Canadians driving in Formula 1. Recent performances have however not been too good for Nicholas Latifi and Lance Stroll. "It doesn't look good for the Canadians, but that doesn't matter to the fans."

This is also agreed by Stuart Morrison, Haas' communications strategist, who has lived in Montreal for 12 years. According to Morrison, Canadians have long been used to 'F1 races without a local hero'. It is therefore different from races in other countries with a local driver. "Lance and Nicholas are not here what Max is in Zandvoort. Few drivers get as big as Verstappen," Morrison concludes.