18/06/2023
NEWS STORY
We tweeted earlier that if Carlsberg did fairy-tale F1... Fernando Alonso would win today, with Nico Hulkenberg and Alex Albon joining him on the podium, while Max Verstappen would give Red Bull its 100th Grand Prix win at the Red Bull Ring.
Of course, we know that for drivers like Max, like Ayrton, Michael and Lewis, there is no room for sentiment in F1, certainly once the visor comes down and the lights go out.
Therefore we can expect Max to be giving it the, err... Max, from the outset today.
However, rather than Nico seeking to out-drag him to the infamous first corner, Max is joined by 'the animal', Fernando, who is equally unsentimental.
Unfortunately, Nico was one of several drivers hit with grid penalties following yesterday's qualifying session, the Montreal stewards kept busy late into the night.
Fernando will know that his best chance today is to beat Max into the first corner, or better still force him into a mistake, then again, the Dutchman, like his Spanish rival rarely makes mistakes.
Of course, there will be pressure from behind, particularly as we now have an all-Mercedes second row. Despite the double-podium in Spain, the Silver Arrows have been playing down their chances this weekend, though admittedly the cooler temperatures and very nature of the track do not really suit the W14.
Behind them come Nico, Esteban, the McLarens and Albon, who will be under pressure from the outset from the Ferraris and Sergio.
Carlos was hit with a much-deserved grid drop, while Charles once again fell victim to Ferrari's ability to save defeat from the jaws of victory, and as for Sergio...
With such drivers starting out of position there is the chance of an upset from the get-go, a situation not helped by the nature of the first complex of corners and the over ambitious desires of those around them.
Having had their fun on Friday and Saturday, the Weather Gods are looking to have today off, and though the cooler temperatures and wind will remain, we assured that there will be no rain.
Tyre choice and strategy is going to be key today, which doesn't bode well for Ferrari, also, as we witnessed last year, DRS can play a major role here.
Sensibly, overnight, following complaints from the drivers, the FIA has modified the barrier at Turn 1. On Friday and Saturday drivers who went wide had to drive along the extended wall, over the grass and kerb before turning right onto the track. Today, the shortened barrier means that drivers can rejoin the track deeper into Turn 2.
As the pitlane opens, the air temperature is 17 degrees C, while the track temperature is 28 degrees. It is actually warmer than the previous couple of days.
The pitlane opens and one by one the drivers head out. The track is quite dirty, which should add to the fun and games at the start and for the next couple of laps.
Russell is warned of an 11 km/h crosswind on the straight between the hairpin and the final corner.
Albon and Alonso are among the last to take their places on the grid.
Piastri is advised of a tailwind at Turn 10.
On the grid there is a lot of work going on at the rear of Albon's car. There also appears to be an issue with the underside of Leclerc's car.
According to Frederic Vasseur, Leclerc went over a kerb on his way to the grid and damaged the plank which the team is looking to change.
Fifteen minutes before the start and there's a major shock as the sun breaks through the clouds. That said, race control advises that there is a 10% chance of rain.
"We hope the car is good, but we don't know," says Toto Wolff. "But we are looking forward not backwards. I think Alonso is a wasp, in a positive sense, but depends if we are coming clean in the first corners. Max is in his own world and then we are fighting for P2."
"Very different today, different temperatures," says Christian Horner. "I'm sure Mercedes and Fernando will be fighting very hard. You know with Alonso he's going to go for it, he's a very hard racer. Between the front three of them, the first lap could be exciting."
"The wind, as you can feel, is gusting around a little bit," Russell is informed. "It's about 10 km/h at the moment."
All are starting on mediums, bar Perez, Magnussen and Bottas who are on hards, while Gasly in on softs. Only Albon is on used rubber.
Perez, the tyre whisperer, clearly looking at the long game.
In terms of strategy, a two stopper looks the more competitive, starting with the mediums and then switching to softs for the next two stints. A one stop, starting on hard and switching to medium, could be the choice for those starting from the second half of the grid, as it would allow them to have greater flexibility to deal with any eventualities, especially on a track where the Safety Car has often been called on to do plenty of laps."
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly.
The grid forms.
They're away! A great start from Verstappen, while Hamilton is alongside Alonso and ahead of him into Turn 1. Russell attempts to go around the outside of the Aston Martin in Turn 2, the pair in an out-and-our drag race to Turn 3, where Alonso slams the door.
Further back Leclerc is hard on the heels of the McLaren pair, while Albon attempts to hold off a battling Sainz and Pere. Indeed, Sainz and Perez are side-by-side into Turns 6/7, the Mexican finally getting the better of Sainz at the hairpin.
At the final corner Magnussen has to take avoiding action to avoid the battling Red Bull and Ferrari, the Dane opting for the run-off rather than being taken out by the warring duo.
At the end of Lap1, it's: Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Norris, Leclerc and Albon.
Verstappen and Hamilton trade fastest sectors, as Russell hangs on to the rear of Alonso's Aston Martin.
Lap 3 sees Alonso post a new fastest lap (17.438), as he builds a 1.3s gap to Russell, behind whilst maintaining a 1.1s gap to Hamilton ahead.
"Give me feedback on strategy as soon as possible," says Russell. He is told to stick with Alonso who subsequently brushes the wall at Turn 4.
After 5 laps, as Verstappen builds a 1.8s lead, Alonso is all over Hamilton.
"We think this is more Plan A," Norris is told, "we're looking to extend."
Down in 11th, the Perez/Sainz battle continues.
Tsunoda pits at the end of Lap 6 Tsunoda pits, the Japanese switching to hards.
"I think they tyres are more vulnerable than P2," says Verstappen.
Sargeant has stopped at Turn 6. "Stop the car, stop the car, critical message," he is told.
Hulkenberg is under pressure from Norris and Leclerc as the VSC is deployed.
Moments later the VSC is withdrawn as Alonso continues to hassle Hamilton.
"Rear tyres are getting super-hot," says Hamilton, "I'm struggling."
Albon, Sainz and Perez have joined the train behind Hulkenberg.
Gasly pits at the end of Lap 10, the Alpine driver switching from softs to hards.
That Hulkenberg train now comprises 9 cars.
"I think I hit a bird," reports Verstappen as Hulkenberg dives into the pits and releases the train. Stroll and de Vries also pit.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Montreal here.
Oh dear. Russell has hit the wall and has damaged his front wing.
The Safety Car is released.
Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Ocon and Piastri all pit, the Mercedes and Aston Martin almost colliding as they head out again, Hamilton appearing to be released into the path of the Spaniard. Norris, Albon, and Zhou also stopped, as did Russell.
Replay show that that was big hit for Russell, who appeared to take too much kerb into Turn 9.
Leclerc is up to fourth and Sainz fifth, neither having pitted. Hard-starters Perez, Magnussen and Bottas have also stayed out.
The pitlane incident has been noted.
Russell has rejoined the race, 25s down on 18th placed Gasly.
"Where's the damage come from," asks Hamilton of the debris on the track. He is advised that it is his teammate's.
Asked to give feedback on the car, Russell replies: "It's a bit bent, but it's ok."
The field continues behind the Safety Car.
"Rear brakes are really hot," Hamilton is warned.
Ocon, Bottas and Magnussen have been noted for overtaking at the pit exit under the Safety Car.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 16.
Verstappen leads the field into Turn 1, with the Ferraris, on mediums, in hot pursuit.
Norris is under investigation for an unsafe release. The Briton is under attack from his McLaren teammate who is told to focus on Albon who is behind him.
A big, big lock-up for Leclerc as he closes to within 1.4s of Alonso.
At the start of Lap 20, Piastri has to cut the final chicane in order to avoid the Norris/Albon battle ahead.
"We need to drop a place behind Ocon," Magnussen is told. However, as he does so he is passed by Bottas and then Norris.
Albon is all over Magnussen whilst holding off Piastri.
On Lap 23, Alonso nails Hamilton into the final corner, the crowd cheers.
Hamilton fights back, but the Aston Martin appears to have better pace.
Moments later, Albon has to cut the corner after tripping up over Magnussen, thereby allowing Piastri through also.
No further action over the unsafe releases for Hamilton and Norris.
In no time at all, Alonso is 1.168s clear of Hamilton, though 2.988s down on the race leader.
Piastri makes short work of a struggling Magnussen for 10th.
Norris has been noted for driving unnecessarily slowly at Turn 10.
"Keep it clean and fast," Leclerc is told, "Carlos will not attack you."
Once again, a Haas leads a sizeable train, this time it is (11th-placed) Magnussen.
Stroll pits for the second time at the end of Lap 27, rejoining in 19th.
"I have no grip on this tyre," complains Verstappen, as Alonso posts a new fastest lap (16.575).
Albon passes Magnussen for 11th.
"We still think Plan A, Plan A," Piastri is told, as Sainz is confident that he can extend this opening stint.
"I'm losing grip with this tyre now," says Verstappen. "OK Max, I think we've got that message," he is politely told.
Hulkenberg pits at the end of Lap 32, as Russell advises that he cannot overtake as the field is too bunched.
"Rear end's very weak," reports Hamilton as Zhou pits.
Norris is under investigation for driving unnecessarily slowly.
Gasly pits at the end of Lap 33. The Frenchman rejoining in 18th.
At half-distance it's: Verstappen, Alonso, Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Ocon, Bottas, Norris and Piastri.
The Ferraris, Perez and Magnussen have yet to pit.
As de Vries and Magnussen battle for position, the pair are passed by Russell. The two subsequently take to the escape road at Turn 3 as they run out of track as the squabble continues.
Norris pits at the end of Lap 35 and Magnussen a lap later.
Next time around Ocon and Bottas pits. The Frenchman rejoins in 10th and the Finn 11th.
Perez finally pits at the end of Lap 37, as does Piastri. The Mexican rejoins in 7th and the Australian in 13th.
Norris is given a 5s time penalty for "unsportsmanlike behaviour".
Sainz pits at the end of Lap 38, the Spaniard rejoining in 5th, ahead of Albon and Perez, the Red Bull undercut not having worked.
Next time around it is Leclerc that pits, the Monegasque rejoining just ahead of Sainz and Perez, who has passed Albon.
De Vries and Magnussen are under investigation for that Turn 3 incident.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 40, the Mercedes driver rejoining still in third.
Next time around it is Alonso that stops, the Spaniard holding on to his second place.
On his fresh medium rubber, Perez posts a new fastest lap (16.410).
Verstappen pits at the end of Lap 41, the world champion rejoining 4.8s ahead of Alonso.
The Dutchman is on mediums, as is Hamilton, while Alonso and the Ferraris are on hards.
"Sainz will not attack you," Leclerc is told, as Norris' reaction to his penalty is entirely predictable. "****," shouts the McLaren driver. Currently 11th, and in the middle of a DRS train, that 5s will cost him dearly.
Lap 44 sees Hamilton post a new fastest lap (16.003).
"There is a bit of a race going on behind us," Verstappen is told, "so people are pushing a lot more than you at the moment."
Alonso (15.891) and Hamilton (15.879) trade fastest lap as the Briton seeks to close the 4.7s gap.
"Tell me when lift and coast is ok," says Alonso, "I don't want to keep doing it." A small mistake at Turn 9 sees his advantage over Hamilton reduced to 3.2s.
"There's a lot ahead still to get," Stoll is urged.
"Let's see some classic Albon defending, you've got the straight-line speed," the Williams driver is told.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Montreal here.
"I want to win this race," says Alonso.
Tsunoda sweeps by Hulkenberg to claim 15th.
Ocon, Bottas and Norris are now on the heels of Russell as he pursues Albon.
"We think we're going to have to retire, brake wear is too high," Russell is told, the Briton subsequently heading into the pitlane.
Ocon now takes up the challenge of taking on Albon.
While Russell's retirement promotes Norris into the points, the McLaren driver has that time penalty.
"Compared to Sainz we are faster everywhere, except Turns 8 and 9," Leclerc is advised.
His tyres 45 laps old, Albon is going to need to pit very soon. That said, on Lap 57 he posts a PB. Nonetheless, he is 21s down on the car ahead (Perez), and heading a train of 4 cars.
After 60 laps (of 70) it's: Verstappen, Alonso (+ 8.1s), Hamilton (+ 1.5s), Leclerc (+ 5.6s), Sainz (+3.1s), Perez (+ 9.3s), Albon (+ 22.2s), Ocon (+ 0.5s), Bottas (+ 0.5s) and Norris (+ 0.4s).
"Sounds like Alonso is nursing a rear brake issue," Hamilton is told.
As Alonso is told Hamilton is 1.9s behind, Alonso responds: "Copy, leave it to me!"
Norris makes a great move on Bottas at final corner, the Finn battles back through the Turn 1 complex but there is nothing he can do.
Meanwhile, Ocon is closing on Albon.
"I almost knocked myself out on that kerb," laughs Verstappen. "Ha, ha!"
"Flat-out, flat-out," Stroll is urged as he chases Bottas for the final point. He makes a move at the hairpin but runs wide.
"The rear wing is loose on the Alpine," reports Norris of Ocon's car. "It looks pretty dangerous."
The McLaren driver subsequently launches an attack on the Frenchman but fails.
Lap 68 sees a new PB from Verstappen (15.594).
While Ocon and Norris battle for 8th, this eases the pressure on Albon.
Perez pits at the end of Lap 68 for softs, rejoining still in 6th.
"He's a joker," says Hulkenberg of Zhou who has been shown the blue flag but continues to attack the Haas driver.
Ocon's loose rear wing has been noted by the stewards.
Verstappen takes the flag and Red Bull's 100th win. Alonso is second, ahead of Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez and Albon.
Norris makes a move on Ocon at the hairpin but fails, down the straight the pair are side-by-side, but at the final chicane the Alpine has the racing line and the McLaren driver has to cut the corner.
Stroll is ninth, ahead of Bottas, Piastri, Gasly, Norris - with the penalty - Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Zhou, Magnussen and de Vries.
On the final lap, Perez posts a 14.481 to take an extra point.
Not the fairy-tale we'd hoped for but some brave performances. Another masterclass from Verstappen, while Alonso proved that he still has it, as does Hamilton.
For Ferrari, and indeed Perez, it was all about damage limitation, and in many ways that appears to have worked out well for them.
A brilliant performance from Albon who must be everyone's driver of the day, while kudos to Stroll, Bottas, Piastri, Gasly and Norris.
"It's been a great weekend for us, we are slowly chipping away," says Hamilkton. "The Astons moved away with their upgrades, but we are bringing some more soon.
"We knew this wouldn't be our strongest circuit," he adds, "we struggle on the low speed corners. We need to add rear downforce to the car, but I do believe we will get there at some stage. It's quite an honour to be up there with two world champions."
"We were hoping to challenge a little more the Red Bull," admits Alonso, "but we lost a place at the start and it was a battle with the Mercedes.
"Lewis was pushing all the race, I didn't have a single lap I could relax. At the end Lewis had more pace, it was a tough race. It was 70 laps of qualifying today."
"It was not a straightforward race," claims Verstappen, "the tyres were not getting in their window and we were sliding around a bit.
"But to win today, to win the 100th Grand Prix for the team is incredible. I never expected to be on these kind of numbers myself."
In the cool-down room the trio enjoy the highlights.
"What happened to George?" asks Hamilton. "He lost it out of 9," says Verstappen.
As they watch the footage of Alonso clipping the wall, Verstappen points at the screen. "Ooh, you hit the wall!" he laughs. "Cool," adds Hamilton.
All in all, an entertaining race, though the DRS trains continue to be a problem.
As has been said, if Verstappen and Red Bull were ruled out of the equation we'd have a brilliant championship on our hands, but then again nothing should be taken away from the Dutchman or his team.
If it continues like this he'll have the championship sewn-up in the not too distant future, however, as we have said before it is not up to the FIA to handicap them but for rivals to raise their game.