| ATLANTIC MOTION
After five European races in a row, the Formula 1 teams now face the logistical challenge of a flyaway double-header. This weekend's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal will be followed by the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis. That means that the 22 cars and all the extra equipment are currently flying out across the Atlantic Ocean en route to the island in the St Lawrence Seaway where the race takes place. The race is always popular with drivers, mechanics and everyone else involved in the sport because the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is situated minutes from downtown Montreal. Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli will be determined to bring home some strong results for Panasonic Toyota Racing from their adventures in North America.
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Ralf Schumacher (Car 7):
"We haven't enjoyed particularly good results of late but I'm sure we will continue to improve. The TF106B has made another step and while we still have work to do to reach the level we would like, we are going in the right direction. We have made progress with the mechanical side of the car and our Bridgestone tyres have also improved. In terms of performance we are at a good level, we just need to pick up some better finishes. The Canadian Grand Prix is always a good place to come to race. Montreal is a beautiful city and the atmosphere is always great for the race weekend. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is known for fast straights and heavy braking. I have had some good results there in the past including my win five years ago so we'll hope to score again this weekend."
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Jarno Trulli (Car 8):
"Because we don't test at Montreal it is always difficult to predict how we will get on there but the Canadian Grand Prix is always one of my favourites of the year. The atmosphere both at the circuit and away from it in the town is great. We tend to run low downforce so the car feels lighter and you have to be precise, but the track has a good flow to it. Of course this has not been a successful season for me so far. The car performance is strong but I have been hit by a lot of bad luck. I narrowly missed out on a podium in Monaco and then I had the engine problem in qualifying in Silverstone. So I am still without a points finish this year but I haven't been able to do much about it. All motor racing is the same – you just have to have patience and hope that you get what you deserve in the end. So I am still pushing and that is what I will continue to do until my fortunes change."
Pascal Vasselon - Senior General Manager Chassis
"In terms of atmosphere the Canadian Grand Prix is one of my favourites together with Monaco. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve provides a very specific layout, featuring very long straights and almost exclusively slow corners. So the contrast between the two extremes of speed makes it the hardest circuit of the season for brakes. The challenge is to achieve good high speed braking stability without too much low speed understeer. In dry conditions, you tend to use tyres from the softer end of the range to favour traction. In the wet the circuit grip is very low because of the smoothness of the tarmac, it leads to the selection of compounds with very good warming up. Overtaking is not easy but possible, and most moves tend to take place at the last chicane. We are planning an interesting aerodynamic update for the race so we are looking forward to having a chance to evaluate it."
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