Canadian Grand Prix: Ferrari the new Mercedes?

So often a safe haven of Mercedes dominance, the Canadian Grand Prix might not be so kind to the Silver Arrows in 2018, despite Lewis Hamilton's quest to equal the great Michael Schumacher in Montreal. Matthew Scott shapes up the weekend's runners and riders.

CIRCUIT DEBRIEF

• High power circuit with large chunks of the lap spent at full throttle
• Tyre stress among the lowest on F1's calendar
• However, brakes are put to the test and managing temperatures is crucial
• Be careful at the last corner, or you'll end up in the 'Wall of Champions'!
• Not quite Monaco-style, but run-off is limited so safety cars are likely.

MERCEDES OUT THE PICTURE?

Mercedes bounced back from a miserable Monaco to dominate with a one-two finish in Canada last year.

While Monte Carlo was not so harsh on the Silver Arrows a fortnight ago, it will not necessarily translate to supremacy of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Unlike the Ferraris and Red Bulls, Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will not take fresh power units in Montreal, after a "quality issue" forced Mercedes to shelve a planned upgrade, affecting not only the works team but Force India and Williams too.

The Mercedes engines have superb reliability, but will certainly be down on top power at one of F1's most thirsty tracks after putting in 1,795km worth of work already this year.

"If the others are bringing upgrades and have got fresh engines, particularly how close we are, we won't be in position to fight for the victory," Hamilton said.

Given Ferrari had already matched Mercedes power output this year - think Shanghai - it seems Hamilton's pessimism is well-placed, despite him taking victory in each of the past three years to close onto Schumacher's record haul of seven Canadian wins.

All signs point to Scuderia success this weekend, then, with Sebastian Vettel likely eyeing eating a sizeable chunk into Hamilton's 14-point lead atop the drivers' standings.

Vettel has just a solitary win in Canada to his name and any rain come race day may bring memories of his last-lap spin in 2011, which gifted victory to Jenson Button, flooding back to raise the heart rate...

ALONSO'S MILESTONE MOMENT

Fernando Alonso will enter his 300th grand prix this weekend, becoming just the fourth man to break through that barrier, behind Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.

Alonso was victorious in Montreal 12 years ago, but has not scored a solitary point since returning to McLaren.

A fresh Renault power unit might help this year, but McLaren's one-lap deficit will likely leave Alonso fighting through the field yet again.

Alonso's focus will be interesting this week. He's unlikely to be a contender in Montreal, but seven days' later he will start the Le Mans 24 Hours as favourite. Can the veteran keep his passion for F1 burning this week? Only time will tell.

HEAT ON HARTLEY

Brendon Hartley has mixed some rum luck with taking his time to adapt to Formula 1, only scoring one point so far for Toro Rosso.

The cut-throat nature of the sport has been seen in recent weeks, with there being little secret over the team's desire to replace the Kiwi.

Pascal Wehrlein and Robert Kubica have been linked with the seat, but a chase of McLaren's Lando Norris became public this week after the Woking team confirmed they had rejected a bid for their junior driver, who is the standings leader in Formula 2 after four rounds.

"It's the second grand prix in a row I've been responding the rumours," Hartley said of the speculation. "But it's not really interesting for me to comment. I know what my contract says. I'm very confident in the work I've been doing."

MUCH TO PROVE FOR MAX

Without resembling a broken record too much - Max Verstappen has plenty to make up for this week after his error in the previous race.

Although Daniel Ricciardo topped the timesheets in every practice session in Monaco, there were enough hints that Verstappen actually had the potential to go quicker.

Perhaps that was on his mind as he barrelled into the swimming pool complex's exit, clipping the wall and ruining his race.

Verstappen's claim that he was ready to "headbutt" the next person who quizzed him on his errors in Thursday's press conference speaks of a driver who knows the heat is on.

Canada is an overtake-friendly track and it could bring the best out of Verstappen, but that 'Wall of Champions' will be a cause for concern all weekend long.