After the very disappointing weekend in Monaco, at least by recent Williams Martini Racing standards, the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve this weekend is the opportunity for the team to get back on track and fight for finishes inside the top six.
Valtteri Bottas admits to enjoying coming to Canada to race, and is eager to fight for a ‘strong points finish’, especially on the back of a fourteenth place finish in Monaco.
“Montreal is a great track and a great city,” said Bottas. “Every year I really look forward to this race, as the circuit is fast and enjoyable to drive plus the fans really make it a special one.
“The track is a street circuit so improves a lot during practice and qualifying. You need a good power unit and efficient aerodynamics from the car to be quick here, as well as good traction out of the slow chicanes and hairpins.
“With the improvements to the car that we are taking to Montreal, I think we will be able to fight for a strong points finish.”
Team-mate Felipe Massa was a lapped fifteenth in Monaco, but feels the team should be quick this weekend in Canada. He is eager to fight once more with his former employees Ferrari and take a good haul of points.
“Last year was a good race and we showed strong pace all weekend, but unfortunately for me it didn’t end in the best possible way,” revealed Massa, who was fighting for a podium finish in 2014 before a last lap collision with Sergio Perez.
“We know the FW37 is similar and so should be quick at this particular track. The Montreal circuit is completely different to the last race and we fully expect our performance levels to be back to where they were at the start of the season.
“We should be able to start getting closer to Ferrari and have a real battle with them and the other teams around us.”
