Alonso: 'I'm ready to go back to my day job!'

After his refreshing Indy 500 hiatus, it will be back to his usual business for Fernando Alonso next weekend, as the McLaren driver returns to F1.

It will be a seamless transition for the Spaniard, at least geographically. Alonso remained in North America after competing in the Indy 500 for some well-deserved downtime in the US.

"It’s good to be heading back to Canada – it feels like I’ve spent a lot of time in North America recently!

The Indy 500 was an incredible experience and it’s been amazing to learn a completely different style of driving, on a different circuit layout and with a very different car, but I’m ready to get back to my ‘day job’ and go racing in F1 again."

Boullier lauds 'amazing' aero development at McLaren

Despite the fact that Alonso has won only once in Montreal, in 2006 with Renault, he's a big fan of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve although he'll be hard pressed to deliver a good result given the limits of his Honda engine on a typically power-hungry layout.

"I’ve always enjoyed the Canadian Grand Prix. The circuit is unique in that it’s very demanding on both the car and driver, so it’s a real racer’s track.

"The layout of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve means it’s very power-limited and therefore dependent on straight-line speed and power. I

"It’s not going to suit our car as much as the twisty, slower corners of Monaco, but I’m excited to get back in the MCL32, catch up with the guys and girls in the team and get back out on track – not only turning left this time!"

It was anticipated that Honda would introduce an updated power-unit in Montreal, but that prospect is now looking unlikely.

"I don't know if we'll have something new for the engine in Canada, but I hope so," he added.

"Until we arrive in Canada we will not know. But every time we do put a new engine in we will start last, because we have already exceeded our limits.

"So I think we have to choose the races in which we do change very carefully.

"While I was in Indy I was still keeping up-to-date with the news from Monaco, and Stoffel and Jenson both reported positively on the new upgrades and reliability, so I hope we can continue to see a step forward in Canada."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.