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Williams in 'good shape' going to Canada

ESPN Staff
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Valtteri Bottas' race in Monaco ended after an engine failure © Getty Images
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Rob Smedley thinks Williams will be more competitive in Canada after struggling at times during the Monaco Grand Prix.

Williams had issues with its front tyres in Monte Carlo, while an engine issue forced Valtteri Bottas to retire, but still managed to collect six points from Felipe Massa's seventh. Head of Vehicle Performance Smedley admits tyres are still an area of concern for Williams but thinks the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve suits the FW36 much better and hopes the team can capitalise.

"Canada is a very special circuit due to the long fast straights and slow corners," Smedley said. "We will take the same compounds as Monaco so we know how these tyres work from the last race. If the weather is cool we could suffer from tyre heating issues and if it's hot then there is the chance of thermal degradation.

"Tyre issues are something we are aware of and so will be a focus throughout the weekend. Kerbing is also important in Montreal as being able to ride the kerbs over the two chicanes is key to a quick lap time. Our car is aerodynamically efficient which is vital on the long straights in Canada so we feel we are in good shape."

Bottas memorably qualified in third in Montreal last year and the Finn agrees with Smedley that the race represents a perfect chance for Williams to move on from Monaco.

"I have some great memories from Canada last year as I qualified my career best position of third. The track is such a contrast from the last race in Monaco, and I think it plays to the strengths of the car, such as good straight line speed.

"We are aiming to continue our record of points in every race so far this season. It's a special track not only in the fact that it's technically a street circuit, but that there are a lot of big braking zones and few fast corners."

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