This year’s race has been moved from its traditional June slot to late May as part of Formula 1’s calendar reshuffle, bringing a higher chance of temperatures staying below 20 degrees Celsius.
For Vasseur, that shift could have a direct impact on performance at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
“Canada is always a special event with a great atmosphere,” Vasseur said, “but from a racing point of view it is never straightforward.”
The Montreal circuit is one of the toughest on the calendar for brakes and traction. Its long straights followed by heavy braking zones, tight chicanes, and the famous hairpin place constant stress on the cars. Ferrari expect those demands to be amplified by the colder weather.
Low temperatures typically make it harder for tyres to reach their optimal operating window, leading to slower warm-up, reduced grip, and a higher risk of graining. That can quickly turn weekend preparation into a guessing game, especially if conditions change.
Adding to the challenge is the sprint format. Teams will only have one hour of free practice before competitive running begins, leaving limited time to understand tyre behaviour and setup direction.
“We will need to be on the ball from the first session and make the most of every opportunity,” Vasseur added.
Strategy and tyre management are expected to play a decisive role, with the track surface evolving quickly across the weekend and heavy braking zones punishing any mistakes.
Weather variability is also a constant threat in Montreal, where conditions can switch rapidly. If rain arrives on a cold and green track, grip levels could drop sharply and further complicate an already delicate balance.
With little margin for error and limited preparation time, Ferrari head into Canada aware that execution will be just as important as outright pace.
