Canadian Grand Prix News

Last year’s wet and slippery Grand Prix at Istanbul Park was held in November and produced one of the highlights of the season, with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton clinching his record-equalling seventh world title. The race is the second cancellation of the year, after China, while Australia has been moved from March to November. The next two races in Portugal, this weekend, and Spain are without spectators.

Referring to this year`s `new era` car, Wolff admitted it had posed challenges for the team and the drivers with its contrary and temperamental nature: happy and triumphant one week, sulky and unresponsive the next.

It was the three-time champion`s sixth victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve -- where he claimed his maiden triumph in 2007 -- as well as his third this season and the 56th win of his career.

Lewis Hamilton reeled off a stunning set of record-breaking laps on Saturday to claim pole position for Sunday`s Canadian Grand Prix and draw level with his hero Ayrton Senna`s total.

Ferrari's championship leader Sebastian Vettel was fastest in final Canadian Grand Prix practice on Saturday, putting pressure on Mercedes Formula One rival Lewis Hamilton to find some Montreal magic for qualifying.

Mercedes three-times world champion Lewis Hamilton was quickest in the morning session but could not match Raikkonen`s pace in the afternoon, posting 1:13.150 ahead of arch-rival and championship leader Sebastian Vettel in the other Ferrari.

The defending three-time world champion clocked a best lap in one minute and 12.812 seconds.

The four-time champion was at the top of the time-lists when the session was red-flagged with 12 minutes remaining.