
In just under a fortnight the French Grand Prix returns after a decade hiatus from F1 - and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team can’t wait. After a disappointing result in Monaco, the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal served up just a single Podium for the Silver Arrows – with Valtteri in third position - as Sebastian Vettel's victory saw the German leapfrog Lewis Hamilton at the top of the drivers' championship. Valtteri Bottas' second place in Canada was scant consolation, as Hamilton came home in fifth place having nursed home his F1 W09 EQ Power+ with an ailing power unit.
Engine demands are crucial in F1 and this season, teams have been limited to just three power-units over a season, one fewer than in 2017. The Silver Arrows had hoped to run a new engine in Montreal but decided to delay it for a race due to a quality issue. That means it will be bolted into the back of Lewis and Valtteri's cars in time for the French GP at Circuit Paul Ricard.