Montreal Speed Trap: Who is the fastest of them all?

Power and straight-line speed are precious assets at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, but when the weather throws a spanner in the works, maximum velocity is a secondary concern.

Qualifying took place in wet conditions on Saturday, and we're only positing the speed trap readings here as a matter of habit, as the numbers themselves are relatively irrelevant given the conditions that prevailed in the incident-packed session.

Just like last year, Williams' FW45 is among the quickest machines this season in terms of maximum velocity, so it was no real surprise to see Alex Albon – who qualified P10 – top the readings.

The straight-line speed of Red Bull's RB19 is also well chronicled, as evidenced in Montreal on Saturday by poleman Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez who set the second and third fastest top speeds in qualifying.

• 2023 Canadian Grand Prix - Qualifying results

Forecasts are calling for a dry race on Sunday, so the field will start afresh, with various tyre strategies at play.

Last year, the strategy preferred by most drivers was a medium-hard-hard two-stopper but some drivers – especially those starting in the second half of the field – opted for a one-stopper with a very long initial stint on the hard tyre.

But perhaps the most compelling question ahead of this afternoon's race is who will exit the first complex ahead, with Verstappen likely having to contend with the always feisty Fernando Alonso and perhaps also with the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, assuming the front-runners make it through Turn 1 intact.

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