Canadian Grand Prix, Thursday Snap Shot

Canada always has a special buzz about it. The race is a team and driver favourite, the location is perfect and the fans are always out in force showcasing their enthusiasm for the sport.

(c) Sahara Force India F1 Team

Thursday at the race track isn't as straight forward and relaxing as you might think. Drivers were busy with media and sponsor commitments alongside track walks and meetings with their engineers. On the other side of the garage, team members were busy getting some pit stop practice in, getting the cars and garages ready as well as getting preparations and plans in order for the upcoming race weekend.

As usual, here's a look at what the drivers and teams got up to on Thursday at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in the Canadian Grand Prix Thursday Snap Shot.

(c) @GvanderGarde

Giedo van der Garde was keen to show off his driver portrait which is positioned above his pit garage. It is a unique and interesting addition to the pit lane.

(c) @Lotus_F1Team

The Lotus F1 Team tweeter snapped a picture of the team embarking on their typical track walk...

(c) @Lotus_F1Team

...and they were joined by Mini Kimi and Mini Romain (I want one!), here's a snap of them at the exit to the turn 10 hairpin. The corner is a crucial part of the lap, particularly in the race as it propels drivers onto the back straight.

(c) @McLarenF1

Sergio Perez discusses his hopes for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix to some of the worlds media. Drivers are given a media schedule prior to the weekend which is distributed to journalists so they can sync their schedules with the relevant time slots.

(c) Marussia F1 Team

Jules Bianchi took a carriage ride through Montreal for a very unusual interview.

(c) @SkyF1Insider

The Sky Sports F1 Team get transported around Montreal in style.

(c) @JeanEricVergne

Jean Eric Vergne's track walk was interrupted by a rain shower, the weather forecast for the race weekend looks to be a similar story.

(c) @ToroRossoSpy

The Toro Rosso mechanics got to work on some pit stop practice.

(c) Sahara Force India F1 Team

Paul Di Resta got to work surveying the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. 2013 will be his third visit to the circuit, which is situated on a man made island.

(c) @Marussia_F1Team

Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi donned their Marussia jumpers and headed out into the cool conditions for the fan autograph signing session.

(c) OfficialSF1Team

The Sauber duo made their way to the circuit, I wonder what they are talking about...?

(c) @TheF1Poet

My good friend Ernie Black (The F1 Poet) is in the Montreal paddock for the first time as an accredited journalist with F1Plus - who I also write for. Here is a snap from his work on Thursday as he sat down for the FIA driver press conference.

(c) @WilliamsF1Team

Pastor Maldonado greets a fan during the Thursday autograph signing as he hopes to make a return to the points in Canada.

(c) GP3 Media

Meanwhile over in Hungary, the F1 feeder series GP3 were busy testing ahead of the next round...

(c) GP3 Media

Nick Yelloly tackles the Hungaroring during the GP3 mid-season test in his Carlin GP3/13 car.

(c) @Lotus_F1Team

 The Lotus F1 Team took a moment to remember Gilles Villeneuve, one of Canada's greatest Formula 1 drivers. This message is positioned just after the finishing line.

(c) @RedBullRacing

 Vettel meets a very little fan during the autograph signing, cute or what!

(c) @OfficialSF1Team

 Sauber drivers Esteban Gutierrez and Nico Hulkenberg play Sky Sports F1's horse power tower game, I wonder who won?

(c) @InsideFerrari

 The Ferrari cars were ready and prepared for the first practice session of the race weekend.

(c) @WilliamsF1Team

Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas smartened up for the opening race gala.

(c) Lotus F1 Team

Romain Grosjean takes to the track with his mechanics and engineers for the typical Thursday track walk.

(c) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team

Lewis Hamilton greets some enthusiastic fans during the autograph signing session.

(c) @McLarenF1

Sergio Perez joins Martin Brundle for the Sky Sports F1 track walk.

That's it for this edition of the Thursday Snap Shot. Keep checking back on the blog and more specifically the weekend review for updates on the track action throughout the race weekend.