Canadian GP Thread - Spoilers of Qualifying & Race - Sponsored by the Word ABOOT

[Fernando]

First topic message reminder :

After two Europe-based races in Spain and Monaco, F1 travels across the Atlantic this week for one of the most popular races on the calendar: the Canadian GP.

A demanding high-speed circuit lined by punishing barriers but offering a multitude of overtaking opportunities, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is an established favourite with fans and drivers alike.

The race itself, frequently wet and wild, also has a reputation for delivering an exciting spectacle. The 2011 Canadian GP, a four-hour epic eventually won by Jenson Button, is widely regarded to have been the finest race in the modern era.

Track: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Race start time: 7pm UK Time (2pm local).

Laps: 70.

Track length: 4.361 km.

Tyre allocation: Soft (yellow) and Supersoft (red).

2013 pole: Sebastian Vettel - 1:25.425 (Red Bull).

Twelve months ago, Sebastian Vettel was in imperious form as he defeated Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton by fifteen seconds to extend his lead of the World Championship and register Red Bull's first ever triumph at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

But that was then. 2014 has witnessed a clean sweep of Mercedes victories and the Silver Arrows' winning streak is expected to continue this weekend at a circuit which should play to the strengths of the W05 and its superior power unit.

Lewis Hamilton is considered something of a Canada specialist, claiming his maiden win in F1 at Montreal in 2007, another in 2010, and triumphing there again in a thriller two years ago ahead of Romain Grosjean and Sergio Perez. "He will probably be untouchable in Canada," predicted Hamilton's former McLaren team-mate Jenson Button last week.

2013 result: 1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 2. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari); 3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); 4. Mark Webber (Red Bull); 5. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes); 6. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso); 7. Paul di Resta (Force India); 8. Felipe Massa (Ferrari); 9. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus); 10. Adrian Sutil (Force India).

Last five winners in Canada: 2013: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 2012: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren); 2011: Jenson Button (McLaren); 2010: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren); 2008: Robert Kubica (BMW-Sauber).

[skyeman]

Massa OK. Some race due to technical problems for Merc.

[bogbrush]

Yessssssss! German Muppet

Really?

[nathan]

Was Massa going to break at all there?

I bet Massa blames Perez.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Really looks six of one half a dozen of the other

Vettel lucky not to be caught in it

[skyeman]

Was Ricciardo crying. Arrrrrhhh.   

[Gerry SA]

Excellent car management from Rosberg.

Good podium for Vettel.

Ricciardo well done on first victory.

Unlucky Hamilton...not.

[Guest]

Yessssssss! German Muppet

Really?

Yeah, I wasn't accepting Nico being gifted that win, not after his mistakes & the fact Hamilton had another DNF. I won't apologise for my support for Hamilton, over Nico.

As for title though, bad result for Lewis.

Congrats Ricciardo. Massa, distinctly average

[nathan]

Really looks six of one half a dozen of the other

Vettel lucky not to be caught in it

To me it looked like Massa braked to late and was going for a chuck it down the inside move which is fine if the other drivers see's you.

[nathan]

Excellent car management from Rosberg.

Good podium for Vettel.

Ricciardo well done on first victory.

Unlucky Hamilton...not.

lol, muppet.

[skyeman]

LH nearly back on points behind KR after the first race  

[nathan]

Think Ricicardo is well worth his win, been impressed with him this year.

[Guest]

Its essentially a win for Rosberg today. DNF`s mounting on one side of the garage, will no doubt be the decisive factor in this championship.

[skyeman]

He looks like the cat that got the cream. What a moment for him.

[Bull]

Massa threw that one a way. Should of won that race.
but well done to Riccardo and excellent job by Rosberg!

Oh hopefully Sergio and Felipe are okay from that crash! Almost wiped out Vettel as well luckily he was just turning in before it happened.

[CaledonianCraig]

What a fabulous race. Montreal never fails to throw up a thriller - it has to be my favourite race of the season.

As for the race the real winner was Nico - only in terms of the championship race in scoring a bucket load of points with another DNF for Hamilton. Drive of the day has to have been Ricciardo for his debut win and proving once more to be quicker than his team-mate. Doubly sweet for him. Red Bull will be delighted with today's result but realise they still have much work to do. Massa chucked away a podium chance today with his spectacular crash that took Perez and almost Vettel out. Superb race.

[Guest]

Not sure you can say Rosberg did an excellent job. Poor start, was slower than Hamilton all day, two clear mistakes, luckily avoided a punishment by exceeding track limits, even though Hamilton clearly lost time & then Rosberg was lucky to have Perez holding the RB`s up for so long. He also didn't DNF & his car luckily kept going. Today was pure luck for Rosberg, no `excellent` about it. The only excellent part was the result of Hamilton` DNF & him gaining 18 points.

[Bull]

I thought he drove well John especially in keeping that Merc together with those issues.
Matter of opinion.

[GSC]

Slower but held him off?

Little bit tinted glasses there

[Guest]

Don't care   

Just the one thing I worried about happening is happening. One sided DNF`s.

[CaledonianCraig]

Not sure you can say Rosberg did an excellent job. Poor start, was slower than Hamilton all day, two clear mistakes, luckily avoided a punishment by exceeding track limits, even though Hamilton clearly lost time & then Rosberg was lucky to have Perez holding the RB`s up for so long. He also didn't DNF & his car luckily kept going. Today was pure luck for Rosberg, no `excellent` about it. The only excellent part was the result of Hamilton` DNF & him gaining 18 points.

Winning the world title though does need a modicum of luck at times as well. Obviously, the DNF's mounting for Lewis do not help him at all. If Rosberg has total reliability until the end of the season then Lewis will find it very tough to turn this around and you have to wonder if Mercedes will put all their eggs in the Rosberg basket soon?

[bogbrush]

Yessssssss! German Muppet

Really?

Yeah, I wasn't accepting Nico being gifted that win, not after his mistakes & the fact Hamilton had another DNF. I won't apologise for my support for Hamilton, over Nico.

As for title though, bad result for Lewis.

Congrats Ricciardo. Massa, distinctly average

Yeah, but German muppet. Seriously? Who gives a carp what nationality?

[Guest]

I can say whatever I want, just like when you were creaming over Vettel for all those years bog. Now he's being schooled by the Aussie.

[Fernando]

I can say whatever I want, just like when you were creaming over Vettel for all those years bog. Now he's being schooled by the Aussie.

Try telling that to the site rules...    Now im going to advise the pair of you to pack it in before it gets started.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Not sure you can say Rosberg did an excellent job. Poor start, was slower than Hamilton all day, two clear mistakes, luckily avoided a punishment by exceeding track limits, even though Hamilton clearly lost time & then Rosberg was lucky to have Perez holding the RB`s up for so long. He also didn't DNF & his car luckily kept going. Today was pure luck for Rosberg, no `excellent` about it. The only excellent part was the result of Hamilton` DNF & him gaining 18 points.

Lulz

Cmon John, Rosberg did a very good job today, he can't help Lewis's car failing

[Bull]

Nice to people on my side. Haha

[bogbrush]

I can say whatever I want, just like when you were creaming over Vettel for all those years bog. Now he's being schooled by the Aussie.

You need to try the decaf mate. I know it must be killing you, what with Lewis coming 2nd in a two horse race, but it's not big or clever.

[Fernando]

I can say whatever I want, just like when you were creaming over Vettel for all those years bog. Now he's being schooled by the Aussie.

You need to try the decaf mate. I know it must be killing you, what with Lewis coming 2nd in a two horse race, but it's not big or clever.

Read my message.

Don't make the put of y'all asses on the naughty step, I don't like doing it but i will if this continues.  

[GSC]

Handbags away ladies

[Guest]

Yeah, handbags away please.

Rosberg was just lucky. end of. Onto Austria, hopefully the tide turns towards Lewis.

[bogbrush]

One thing I'll give Lewis, he'll always make sure we all know how unlucky he is.

[Guest]

And boy is he unlucky, some say plagued. I`ll definitely be having a few   when Nico Rosberg has his first DNF.

Now the handbags have been put away, we can talk sensibly. I`m looking forward to the Renault engine upgrade in Austria, how close will it bring them? What damage is Ricciardo doing to Vettel`s reputation & long term future at RB?

[harryspiv]

Fantastic spectacle of a race Hamilton once again not getting the rub of the green but great opportunistic driving by Ricciardo showing a 4 time world champion that you don't have to lead from start to finish to win...the Massa Perez accident is inconclusive as to who's fault it was purely because the camera failed at the vital moment. My main moan of the race was the absolutely shocking decision not to punish Rosberg, by cutting the corner he escaped being within DRS range, an obvious advantage.

[sportform]

Great win for Ricciardo. Rosberg was helped out plenty by Perez holding the rest up. Little bit disappointed that Massa wasn't a bit more aggressive in the final 10 laps. He was in the quickest at the end and think he could have won the race. I am sure Lewis Hamilton will bounce back and Mercedes deserve big credit for letting them race.

[Fernando]

Fantastic spectacle of a race Hamilton once again not getting the rub of the green but great opportunistic driving by Ricciardo showing a 4 time world champion that you don't have to lead from start to finish to win...the Massa Perez accident is inconclusive as to who's fault it was purely because the camera failed at the vital moment. My main moan of the race was the absolutely shocking decision not to punish Rosberg, by cutting the corner he escaped being within DRS range, an obvious advantage.

If Hamilton was in distance of an overtake then sure you can penalize him but honestly Hamilton was too far behind for it to matter Nico was always going to floor it through that gap they all do like Kvyat did . Also what are you on about DRS? The activation point is at T9 and it controls both DRS Zones so if behind their then get it in both areas, So if Hamilton had it down the back straight he'd have had in on the main straight.

[harryspiv]

Absolute rubbish. Hamilton had DRS but couldn't get close for an overtake but by cutting the chicane Nico gained time and as Coulthard stated, he set his fastest lap in that stint by doing so, next time round to turn 9 did Hamilton then have DRS? Nico gained a time advantage by cutting the corner and that is that.

[harryspiv]

Perez handed 5 place grid penalty for causing the accident with Massa.

[TopoftheChops]

Gutted for Massa, he deserved a podium. Button getting 4th has to be the biggest fluke ever!

[GSC]

Now the handbags have been put away,

What damage is Ricciardo doing to Vettel`s reputation & long term future at RB?

Might want to check on that

[GSC]

I'd be more worried about the brake by wire systems. Most demanding track on brakes.

 

Apparently Rosberg managed his brake temperatures better than Hamilton.

Not sure I agree with a Perez penalty. Massa went for a divebomb on the final lap, perhaps caught Perez by surprise a bit. Thats racing at times.

[Bull]

Perez changes his racing line hence why he got the penalty as Massa dived down the inside.

[GSC]

Massa comes from a far bit back. If you attempt a risky move like that, it happens. Perhaps the stewards felt they had to award something.

[GSC]

And tbh Perez didn't really change it that much, more preparing to take turn 1. Massas not alongside him at that stage.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I'd love to know how Massa intended to slow down to make the corner, it was a suicide dive up the inside, and very lucky not to collect Vettel

[Bull]

I reckon had they not have collided then Massa would have been forced to use to escape route hence then being forced to give back Perez the place. No way he would have made that corner with that speed.

[harryspiv]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0PuSoufowQ

After seeing this footage 100% Perez fault.

Look at the line vettel takes into the corner and look what Perez does. Ridiculously dangerous driving to cause an accident that could have been a lot worse. A 5 place grid penalty seems extremely generous for showing such a lack of awareness, especially on shot tyres.

[Guest]

Not surprising Rosberg had better brake temperature, in clean air for the whole race. Glad, some people acknowledging how lucky Rosberg was yesterday, Hamilton blatently was disadvantaged by Rosberg's failure to make the corner. Everything pretty much fell into place for Rosberg yesterday, he could even have a wounded car & still end up second, such was Perez's holding up of the bunch for so long.

It's funny, Rosberg is making mistakes & but is actually getting advantages. Monaco Q3 - mistake & advantaged. Canada - makes mistakes, cuts corner blatantly & gains time, with no punishment. Infuriating.

To make things worse, the guy has a 22 point lead, yet has only won two races out of seven this year & one of those wins was a gift.

[GSC]

Possibly should've backed somewhat after cutting the corner but he hardly gained the kind of time people keep exaggerating about.

For all the putting down of Rosberg, he held off Hamilton while both cars were functioning on a track that favors overtaking. Also managed a car without ERS and wounded braking to 2nd. Impressive drive.

[Guest]

He was around 0.3/4 tenths off Rosberg down the back straight. Rosberg cracked under pressure, locked his wheel up massively, going flat out on the escape route (not slowing down) and put his fastest lap in. Hamilton was then subsequently back towards a second behind & it gave Rosberg room. If that isn't a penalty, even the 'new' five second 'add on' to your race time, then I don't know what is. It probably would of demoted him to third or fourth but it's what the stewards should of done.

DRS is really only effective, when cars have differing power units & the conditions of tyres are considerably worse than the car behind. Rosberg has the Mercedes package & had fresher tyres, which were in clean air for the majority of the time. Difficult for Hamilton to over-take really, even though he was clearly faster. Agree, Rosberg drove relatively well with reduced power, but he was then massively helped out by Perez.

Interesting weekend for sure, which we could debate for some time.

[GSC]

If you're going to start handing out penalties for gaining time from a corner cut during a race, the Stewards are going to be very busy. Over 70 laps it happens, the advantage wasn't significant enough to warrant a penalty

[dyrewolfe]

If you're going to start handing out penalties for gaining time from a corner cut during a race, the Stewards are going to be very busy. Over 70 laps it happens, the advantage wasn't significant enough to warrant a penalty

I think it was enough to warrant a penalty...and maybe stewards SHOULD start dishing out more penalties to stop drivers taking liberties.

I don't think it would have helped Hamilton in this instance, but they need to set a precedent and let the drivers know they can only get away with so much.

Anyway, fantastic drive by Ricciardo for his maiden win...even though he did benefit from Mercedes' reduced power. With Vettel managing to finish 3rd it looks like Red Bull are now the best of the rest. If they manage to sort out their power issues, they could start threatening Mercedes' championship dominance.

Other than cutting the corner when he had that massive lock-up, it was a great display of defensive driving by Rosberg to keep Ricciardo at bay as long as he did. Deserved at least 2nd for coaxing his crippled Merc over the last 20 laps or so. Desperately bad luck for Hamilton again...was it brake failure this time, just the engine, or a combination of both that forced his retirement? Fantastic duel between the two, but it looked as though they both paid the price (to different extents) for racing so hard.

A great drive by Hulkenberg for 5th place. With Perez also looking set for decent top 10 finish, until Massa hit him, it seems Force India have a very decent car. Amazing how both drivers managed to look after their tyres far longer than anyone else, while still setting decent lap times.

Williams also looked strong for much of the race...Massa in particular, who even led for a few laps. Just a shame he tried that highly risky move on Perez, which took them both out. Their only weakness appears to be higher tyre degradation than the teams around them.

McLaren largely anonymous throughout the race, though Button managed to pick up 4th, during another attritional race, with a late move on Hulkenberg.

Ferrari's woes appear to be continuing, with no light at the end of an ever-lengthening tunnel for either Alonso or Raikkonen. Looks like this season will be a write-off and they'll just have to hope for better things next year.

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