Montreal to suit Williams - Symonds

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Williams technical director Pat Symonds believes Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa should perform well at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, on a layout that theoretically suits the team's FW38 chassis.

Williams were hoping for points in Monaco the last time out but the treacherous street circuit only underlined the FW38's inherent weakness associated with low-speed tracks.

Bottas and Massa enjoyed a relatively good run in Montreal last year, finishing respectively third and sixth, and Symonds sees no reason why that pervious results cannot be met and eventually surpassed on Sunday.

"Being a fast track with long straights, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve certainly favours the characteristics of the Williams car, as shown by our strong performances last year, so this should mark a return to form for the team," Symonds explained.

"The circuit itself has very low-average speed corners, with one quick corner at turn five being easily flat and therefore not counting for much these days.

"Good top speed, stable braking with the track being hard on brakes, good change of direction for the multiple chicanes and adequate traction are key things required here."

Despite the use, for the second race in succession, of Pirelli's UltraSoft compound, Symonds isn't forecasting anything more than a one-stop race.

Williams will be introducing a few updates in Canada, while tyre strategy appears to be fairly cut and dried according to Symonds.

"It's the second race in a row that we see the new UltraSoft tyre, but even with this we expect most cars to be on a one-stop strategy.

"We have a number of new aerodynamic and chassis parts to continue pushing our development of the FW38."

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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.