Six storylines to follow during F1's Canadian Grand Prix

Finally, Formula One has come back to Montreal.

The Canadian Grand Prix returns after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot has changed since then for the series off-track with a sudden surge in popularity thanks to Drive To Survive, but things are also different on the track with new rules and regulations introduced this season aiming to increase overtaking and keep things competitive. Not to mention all of the driver changes that have taken place plus the end of Mercedes’ dominance era (I’ll let you be the judge on the latter if that’s a good or bad thing).

In case you’re just joining us or need a quick refresher, here’s what you need to know ahead of Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Can Ferrari get back on track?

The Canadian Grand Prix is like home cooking for Ferrari and they’re in need of some serious comfort food right now.

Charles Leclerc has proven to be the fastest in qualifying with a stunning six poles — including the past four races — and two P2 starts through eight races on the season. That hasn’t always translated to success on actual race day, however, converting for just two wins.

Twice Leclerc qualified on pole and was cruising along in the lead until experiencing engine problems. Such was the case just this past Sunday in Azerbaijan. After starting the season on top, Leclerc has now slipped to third in the championship, 34 points back of championship leader Max Verstappen and trailing Sergio Perez by 13. The Monegasque driver also has George Russell on his tail just 17 points behind as well.

Meanwhile, Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz has four podium finishes but also three retirements to sit fifth in the points as he continues to search for his first career Grand Prix victory.

Ferrari has finished first on Canadian soil a record 14 times including 11 at the Montreal-based circuit named after the late, great Gilles Villeneuve, who took the checkered flag for the Prancing Horse in 1978. Since then the race has served as a home away from home for the Italian manufacturer and expect the Tifosi, Ferrari's fanbase, out in full force with another sea of red dominating the grandstand.

Can Hamilton make it eight?

Yes, Ferrari has 14 Canadian Grand Prix wins but a lot of that is thanks to Michael Schumacher, who was victorious seven times at the track during his career including six with the team.

Do you know who also has seven wins in Canada? Lewis Hamilton.

It wasn’t looking like Hamilton was going to have the opportunity to compete for a record-breaking eighth Canadian GP victory as he experienced severe back pain driving over the streets of bumpy Baku last weekend, and he struggled just to get out of his car after finishing fourth.

Rest assured, the seven-time world champion will give it a shot although hopefully not at further risk to his health. Montreal holds a special spot in Hamilton’s heart though as the site of his first Grand Prix victory, and he also returns as the defending race winner.

Hamilton has finished in the points in all but one race this year, however, he only has a single podium result to show for it taking third at the season-opener in Bahrain — where both Verstappen and Perez bowed out due to engine issues. Even his fourth place in Azerbaijan could be chalked up to the Ferraris dropping out, too.

The Summer of George?

Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell has finished in the top five through all eight races this season — his first with the squad — with three podium results. After languishing with Williams during the previous three seasons, the 24-year-old Russell is proving why he was one of the most hyped rising stars in the sport.

Russell has outperformed Hamilton, but he has yet to prove his Mercedes is capable of outperforming both Ferrari and Red Bull teams this season looking for his maiden GP victory. His home track Silverstone would be the dream, but there's no time like the present, so what better place than Montreal?

Verstappen vs. Perez?

It’s a good problem to have when your drivers are 1-2 in the championship and such is the case for Oracle Red Bull Racing. Reigning world champion Verstappen has the edge over Perez but let’s be honest if it wasn't for “following team orders” they'd probably be even.

Fans want to see the true fastest between the two and here’s hoping now that there’s a bit of a buffer between the Red Bulls and Ferrari’s Leclerc (but not too much) we should see that unfold in Montreal.

Watch out for the Wall of Champions

The final turn of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has the dubious distinction of being known as the "Wall of Champions" with several high-profile drivers crashing out at that particular spot. The wall took out three former world champions in 1999 alone in Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve. Jenson Button (in 2005) and Sebastian Vettel (during practice in 2011) also added to Turn 13's infamy.

Considering it's been a while since F1 has raced in Montreal, drivers better remember to watch out as they come speeding down that straight heading into the curb at the final turn.

First and last for Latifi?

Williams driver Nicholas Latifi will be racing in his first Canadian GP on home soil. It could also be his last Canadian GP. There are reports reigning F2 champion Oscar Piastri is set to join Williams on a loan from Alpine-Renault and Latifi appears to be on the hot seat.

The Toronto driver has zero points this season and is actually classified 21st in the championship out of a 20-car field. How does that happen? Well, Nico Hulkenberg filled in for Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel for two races at the start of the season, and although he netted no points as well, his better results put him ahead of Latifi. Overall, Latifi has scored points just twice in 47 starts, and once was at last year's Belgian GP that only lasted a couple of laps under safety car conditions due to wet weather.

Latifi will want to ensure he puts on a good show not only for his fans but also to prove he still belongs in Formula One.