08/06/2008
NEWS STORY
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One would think, what with his 06.s advantage over Robert Kubica, that today's Canadian GP would be something of a done deal for 2007 winner Lewis Hamilton. But don't you believe it.
Although the McLaren driver was on supreme form in yesterday's session, today's race will be no walk in the park, victory is no mere formality.
As previously reported, the condition of the track is giving serious cause for concern, and despite overnight repairs there remain fears that should the track surface continue to break up there will be upsets. That said, it is unlikely that Mike Gascoyne's warning of no cars finishing the race will come true. But then again…
Montreal has always had its fair share of incidents, but this year the drivers are really worried. That said, with just over an hour before the race gets underway, the Grand Prix Drivers' Association maintains a deafening silence.
Although it is currently unseasonably cool, which will hardly help the drivers as they seek grip this afternoon, at least the threat of rain and thunderstorms has eased.
It's a race the promises so much, a Montreal double for Hamilton, a maiden win for Kubica and BMW, while Alonso, Rosberg and Webber must feel they could take serious points from today's event.
However, in many ways it is in the lap of the gods, for we really don't know what to expect from this afternoon's race, only that, in the words of the song… there could be trouble ahead.
Ferrari needs a good result here, especially after the misery of Monaco, however, Kimi Raikkonen has been one of the most vocal critics of the track surface this weekend, so maybe we shouldn't expect too much.
In addition to resurfacing at the hairpin (Turn 10), there have also been repairs at Turn 7 - scene of the two Toro Rosso incidents - and Turn 2.
As happened yesterday, especially in the free practice session, some of the repairs have resulted in wet patches on the track, which, of course, adds to the potential drama.
Furthermore, despite the various repairs, further damage was done to the track during this morning's support races. Doh!
Hopefully, despite the negativity, we will get a good race, for, as the furore over the Mosley saga, not to mention the battle for control of the sport, continues, what wee need is a strong core product, and that means decent racing. While some might be attracted by the politics and chicanery, the rest of us simply want to see the best drivers in the world battling one another in the best cars. Still, what do we know…. And since when did it matter what the punters want?
Having not taken part in qualifying, following his crash in free practice, Sebastian Vettel will start the race from the pitlane, where he will be joined by Jenson Button, who, having encountered a gearbox problem in qualifying, has now changed the troublesome transmission, along with several other components including the rear suspension, the rear wing, the front spring and the front anti-roll bar. Sebastien Bourdais, who qualified sixteenth, starts from the back of the grid having received a five-place penalty after changing the gearbox in his car, the result of his crash in free practice.
As the cars come out for their installation laps, organizers announce that no rain is forecast for the race. However, courtesy of the repairs, there are already damp patches at different points on the track.
As the cars assemble on the grid, it is revealed that that drivers have been asked - during their installation laps, and on the parade lap - not to use the apexes. Indeed, there is even talk of the safety car being deployed at times should the track need to be cleaned. Ho Hum.
To add to the mix, contrary to the organizers earlier assurances, there is now talk of rain during the next hour or so.
As the field prepares to head off on the parade lap, the air temperature is 27 degrees C, while the track temperature is 36 degrees.
Most drivers are staring on the hard (soft) option, the exceptions being Hamilton and Rosberg, who are starting on softs (super-soft). Organizers now say that there will be no rain during the race.
They get away cleanly, no silliness, with Hamilton holding off Kubica and Raikkonen. Rosberg makes a great starting, passing Alonso for fourth. Webber, however, has lost a place and dropped back to eleventh.
While most are being cautious, the Toyota duo enjoy a great scrap, going side by side as Trulli attempts to assert himself over Glock.
At the end of lap 2, Nakajima, who has moved up to tenth, goes wide at Turn 1, and almost allows Webber through.
On lap 3, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (18.211) as he extends his lead over Kubica to 1.8s. However, there is this overwhelming feeling that everyone is taking it easy, realising that things are going to get tougher as the race progresses.
Much to Heidfeld's frustration, Barrichello is ahead of him, the Brazilian showing no sign of making way for the BMW driver. On Lap 5, however, the German makes a do-or-die move on the Honda at the hairpin, and makes it stick. He now sets about chasing Kovalainen, who is 3.2s up the road.
While Button is running at the very tail of the field, Barrichello finds himself heading a train of three cars - Nakajima, Webber and Coulthard.
Out front, Hamilton and Kubica are the only drivers lapping in the 1:17s. Raikkonen is 2.8s behind the Pole, 3.5s clear of Rosberg. Massa continues to hassle Alonso.
While the Toyotas continue to tussle, Piquet takes full advantage and makes a great move on Glock to take fourteenth. Next time around, the Brazilian makes a move on Trulli, but the Italian is having none of it.
On lap 13, Raikkonen goes quickest in sector one, just as Piquet finally barges his way past Trulli at the hairpin. A brave, bold move. And it worked.
Heidfeld forces Kovalainen into a mistake but is unable to take advantage. The Finn, currently seventh, is 23s behind his McLaren teammate.
As Coulthard is warned that Piquet, on a lighter fuel load, is closing in, Raikkonen dips into the 1:17s. Elsewhere, Sutil has pulled to the side of the track at Turns 3/4, his race over.
Raikkonen posts a new fastest lap (17.387) and in doing so closes to within 0.7s of Kubica, who is 7.1s down on Hamilton. Elsewhere, Sutil's parked car has smoke, and possibly some flames, pouring from its front brakes.
Despite a marshal's best efforts to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher, the safety car is deployed, which is bad news for Hamilton. This will probably cancel out his brave gamble with the soft option. Button pits, however, as the pitlane wasn't officially open, he is sure to be penalised. Then again, seeing as he was running last, what further penalty could he face?
Behind the safety car, the cars weave furiously from side to side, the drivers attempting to generate as much heat into their tyres as possible.
On lap 19, the safety car still on track, the pitlane is declared open for business.
At the end of the lap Hamilton, Kubica, Raikkonen and a whole host of others head into the pits. However, as they leave, Hamilton runs into the back of Raikkonen, eliminating both drivers on the spot. As the drivers walk back to their respective garages, there is a friendly exchange, no arguments.
The replay shows that Kubica was first out of the pits, followed by Raikkonen. However, they both stop for the red light at the end of the pitlane exit at which point Hamilton runs into the back of the Ferrari. To compound the situation, Rosberg runs into the back of Hamilton. We wouldn't want to be sorting out the insurance claim.
Back on track, with the safety car about to comer in, Heidfeld leads Barrichello, Nakajima, Webber, Coulthard, Trulli, Glock, Fisichella, Vettel and Kubica. Massa pits, but remains on the harder (soft) tyre. Curiously, it is the Brazilian's second stop, the Ferrari driver having pitted at the same time as his teammate.
Well, you did ask for drama!
Although he is running tenth, the nine drivers ahead of him all have to pit, which means the Pole is in a good position for a possible maiden win.
"Come on Nelson, you've got to stay close to Fernando," Piquet is urged, "there's a chance of a good race (result) here!"
At the end of lap 28, Heidfeld, now leading Barrichello by 12.3s, finally pits, thereby handing the lead to the Honda driver. However, the Brazilian is under intense pressure from Nakajima, Webber and Coulthard, who are right behind him. Webber also pits.
Piquet gets it wrong at Turn 3, but somehow keeps it out of the wall. That said, he causes a few hearts to miss a beat as he make a slight hash of re-joining the action.
Heidfeld rejoins the race, and though he is clearly struggling for grip, he manages to hold off his BMW teammate. It will be interesting to see how the German team plays this one out. Behind the battling Beemers, Alonso keeps a watching eye.
At the end of lap 30, Kubica passes his teammate to take seventh, a great move or team orders?
The stewards announce that Raikkonen, Rosberg and Hamilton are all under investigation.
Consequently, Barrichello leads a GP for the first time since he left Ferrari, with Nakajima second, ahead of Coulthard, Trulli, Glock and Vettel. However, all six have yet to stop.
Behind them, Kubica leads Heidfeld, Alonso, Kovalainen, Button, Rosberg, Webber, Massa, Bourdais, Piquet and Fisichella.
Nakajima pits at the end of lap 33, thus promoting Coulthard to second. The wrinklies dominating here in Montreal.
Heidfeld is under intense pressure from Alonso, while Massa runs wide having finally passed Webber for thirteenth. Elsewhere, Fisichella gets as close to a wall as is possible without ripping the side of your car off.
When Barrichello pits at the end of lap 36, David Coulthard becomes the new race leader. The Scot is 11s ahead of Trulli, with Glock third ahead of Vettel.
Next time around, DC pits, as does Vettel. Somehow, the Scot rejoins the race in between Heidfeld and Alonso, which is good news for the BMW driver.
Consequently, it's a Toyota 1-2, with Trulli leading Glock, though both still have to pit.
Sure enough, at the end of lap 39, Trulli dives into the pits. Behind the new race leader, Timo Glock, the real battle for the Canadian GP sees Kubica leading Heidfeld, Alonso, Coulthard, Barrichello, Kovalainen, Massa, Button and Trulli. Piquet makes his second stop at the end of lap 40.
Clearly enjoying his moment, Glock stays out, having completed 40 laps. However, Piquet has retired from the race, his second stop proving terminal, the problem clearly being the Brazilian's brakes.
Next time around (lap 41), Glock pits which hands the lead back to Kubica. "We have ten more laps," his crew urge he Pole, indicating that he must up the ante before his second stop. Bearing in mind his teammate does not have to make a second stop.
Heidfeld has his own problems however, Alonso is all over him. The Spaniard clearly sensing that an 'against all odds' win is not out of the question.
On lap 44, Alonso makes his move at the hairpin, but he runs wide on to the marbles, failing to make it stick. Shortly after, the Spaniard loses it and spins off at Turn 7, clouting the wall with his front-right wheel. It's only a light clash, but the Renault driver is out. Therefore, barring no further hi-jinks, it's all down to the BMW duo.
Therefore, after 47 laps, Kubica leads Heidfeld by 23.1s, with Coulthard third, ahead of Barrichello, Kovalainen, Massa, Button and Webber.
It's all over for Nakajima, who, having had a clash with one of the Honda, enters the pits. His front wing falls off and with it stuck under his wheels he helplessly slides into the pit wall.
At the end of lap 48, Kubica pits. On the pit-wall, Mario Theissen watches anxiously. The Pole rejoins still leading, 5.3s ahead of his BMW teammate.
On lap 52, Kovalainen makes a great move on Barrichello for fourth - did we really type that? - but the Finn overcooks it and ends up going wide on the marbles. This allows Massa to take full advantage, passing both cars in one brave move.
Fisichella spins and lightly thumps the barriers at Turn 4. He's out of the car, but will the safety car be needed?
Taking no chances, Massa, Kovalainen, Button and Webber all pit. But still no sign of the safety car.
Therefore, after 55 laps, Kubica leads Heidfeld, Coulthard, Barrichello, Glock, Trulli, Massa, Vettel, Rosberg and Kovalainen. Webber and Button are fighting for grip, and eleventh place.
Ignoring all else, David Coulthard is having a brilliant time, the Red Bull veteran clearly not having read the script before this afternoon's event. He is currently third, 4.7s behind Heidfeld, and lapping just 0.4s slower than the German. Great stuff from the Scot.
If it wasn't for the fact that Nick Fry will claim all the credit, we'd pour similar praise on Rubens Barrichello. That said, the Brazilian runs wide allowing both Toyotas to displace him.
Kovalainen gets past Rosberg for ninth, two drivers who have endured bad luck today. Moments later, the Finn goes wide, which allows the German to re-take his position.
Massa saves face for Ferrari, passing Barrichello to take sixth place. The Brazilian is now 5.8s down on Trulli, who is 3.1s shy of Glock. Told that Massa is closing in, Trulli reveals that he is struggling with his brakes.
"Look after your engine, look after your brakes," Coulthard is told. The Scot so close to a well-deserved podium finish.
Kovalainen is all over Vettel, who is busy pressurising Barrichello, but the German youngster is having none of it. Meanwhile, Massa is just 2.7s behind Trulli.
Out front, Kubica enjoys a 15s comfort cushion over his BMW teammate, while Trulli runs wide, allowing Massa through to take fifth. The Brazilian now sets his sights on Glock, who is just 1.2s ahead. The replay shows that it was actually Glock, running wide, who cost Trulli his position.
As Kubica begins his final lap, Webber spins, but is able to continue.
The Pole takes a well-deserved win, and with it the lead in the World Championship. To make it a perfect day for the Munich team, Nick Heidfeld brings home his BMW in second, 16.4s behind his teammate.
Equally well-deserved is David Coulthard's third place, a fantastic confidence boost for the Scottish veteran.
A great result also for Timo Glock, who managed to hold off Felipe Massa, while Trulli, Barrichello and Vettel take the remaining points.
No doubt the media, and indeed many fans, will concentrate on the controversial incident which saw Hamilton and Raikkonen eliminated, however, this was a great result not only for Kubica and BMW but for F1.
While today's win owed much to the fact that Hamilton and Raikkonen had been eliminated, there is no doubt that BMW is closing in.
All of us are sick to bloody death of the Mosley saga, and the obvious power struggle for control of the sport. This is what we all really needed, and we, indeed Formula One is all the better for it.
Not a great race, but certainly a very popular result.
Great stuff!