Alonso got a record at the Canadian race last year. He became, at 21, 10 months and 17 days years of age the youngest driver to set the fastest lap in a GP, although up to five cars were faster than his. The Gilles Villeneuve is a circuit that demands a lot of power, but at the same time effective braking. Very high speeds are reached, but there is a chicane and a pair of curves - one of them similar to the mythical Loews in Monaco � that demand total braking.

It is a layout where the driver can display all his qualities. For that reason Fernando Alonso was brilliant last year and for that reason Michael Schumacher has won the Canadian GP on six occasions. The `Kaiser' will once again be the man to beat. Whatever the circuit is like. The F2004 is the fastest car under any conditions and, if he does not make any mistakes, the German will get his seventh victory of the season. Perhaps his team mate Rubens Barrichello prevents this, if he has an inspired day or he guesses right with the tactics.

Ralf Schumacher is, together with his brother, the only active driver who knows what it is to win in Montreal - he did so in 2001. Last year BMW Williams also shone in Canada, since the team�s two drivers were on the podium. The situation of the Anglo-German team is now very different and it seems very unlikely that they can do the same. Jarno Trulli and both BAR Honda drivers will be fighting to get onto the podium again, something that has become routine in the last few GP�s. Sato will be the man to watch after his incident with Barrichello at the N�rburgring