Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, 2025. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Racing Bulls will be hoping their cars remain competitive as Formula 1 heads to Canada this weekend.
Neither Liam Lawson or Isack Hadjar have raced there before.
It is round 10 of the championship with Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve different to most with a number of slow corners.
Racing Bulls are sixth in the constructors' standings having picked up 18 points in the last two races.
Hadjar finished sixth and Lawson eighth at the Monaco Grand Prix last month which also has a number of slow corners.
Lawson was unlucky to miss out on the points in finishing 11th in Barcelona a fortnight ago.
"We're eager to see how the VCARB 02 performs on a track that differs from most others," said Racing Bulls Racing Director Alan Permane.
"All the corners at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve are low speed but are separated by long straights which means the rear wing choice is a particularly important one.
"To be quick here the car needs to be good in braking, ride the kerbs well and have a quick and responsive change of direction, followed by good traction."
It is a new circuit for both of their drivers so practice is particularly important for them as well as the set up for the car.
"The drivers need maximum confidence in their car, because the best laptime is found by running close to the unforgiving walls," Permane said.
Rain has regularly made an appearance at the Canadian Grand Prix, but the forecast is for fine weather on race day.
New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson. Photo: MPS AGENCY / PHOTOSPORT
Lawson is excited about his first outing in Montreal.
"When I was a kid I grew up watching the Canadian GP with drivers having their debut victories here," he said.
"I came to Montréal as a reserve driver last year and loved the city, so I'm really looking forward to having the opportunity to race for the first time on track this weekend."
In the battle of the teams outside the top four, Racing Bulls trail fifth placed Williams by 26 points.
Haas are just two points behind Racing Bulls.
In Canada in 2024 Daniel Ricciardo finished eighth and Yuki Tsunoda was 14th.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen is the defending champion, but the McLaren's of championship leader Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris should again be the drivers to beat.
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