Michael Schumacher is getting further and further behind on the chase for the Championship, he acknowledges this but still sees that the possibility is there.

He stated: "There is still hope when the mathematical chance to become world champion is there. And this chance is not even bad. On the other hand, we have to improve to win. Montreal could be crucial."

Williams could also be a serious competitor next weekend. The team will have the completely revised FW20 at their disposal. Jacques Villeneuve showed its potential last weeks during the tests by setting times almost as fast as the McLarens.

Meanwhile Jordan is still looking for a leap forward. Technical Director Gary Anderson will stay at their home base during the next two races to try and solve the technical problems and enhance the speed of the cars. He may get extra support from another designer, possibly Mike Gascoyne of Tyrell. Anderson said: "We've got an intensive wind tunnel programme for the next ten days, plus a huge amount of data to check to try to unlock the speed from the car and engine. I am concentrating on trying to improve the performance around Silverstone and the second half of the season."

In addition, time is running out for Damon Hill to get back to the top. He said: "Some very serious thinking has to be done and some serious decisions made. Any time you are not winning in Formula One, I regard as a lost period of time. I have two years left and I want to get on with the job of winning again and running at the front. It's a question of philosophy and methodology. It's about being clinically accurate with the work done and understanding that work as the standard we have to achieve."

Tora Takagi has denied the rumours that he may replace Ralf Schumacher at Jordan this year. He said: "I think this rumour started because someone in the Formula One paddock saw my manager talking with Ian Phillips of Jordan. What is perhaps not understood is that my manager used to work with Ian and I think they were having nothing more than a friendly chat. I have no plans to move from Tyrrell this year. Craig Pollock has always been very pleasant, and when asked questions about me is always complimentary in his replies, so I'm happy!"

The other driver at Tyrrell: Ricardo Rosset is still not sure of his seat. The rumours of him being fired are getting stronger, and it is suggested Canada will be his last Grand Prix. He could then be replaced by for example Jos Verstappen, who lost his seat to Rosset this year. Craig Pollock said: "If it has not been discussed with Ricardo. It would be unfair to talk about it - but that does not mean I've discussed it with anyone else."

Goodyear has stated that Michael Schumacher's claim that the tyres are to blame for inability of Ferrari to compete with McLaren - or for 75% to blame. The president of Goodyear stated: "Our relations with Ferrari are good. Luca di Montezemolo, Jean Todt, and Eddie Irvine are people you can deal with. But with Schumacher it's different because he is considered extraordinary. It is very difficult to manage a person who is considered slightly lower than God. I don't want to offend anyone, but we do not accept the accusation of being 75% to blame for Ferrari's results, and we will not accept being the sacrificial lamb."

Meanwhile, Schumacher is still blaming it on the tyres. He stated: "At Monaco, I expected to be only 0.2s from McLaren; instead it was 0.9s after qualifying. Yet again we have seen the difference in the tyres. We have to work hard with Goodyear. If we continue to do so, the results will eventually come."