So, after a dominant 1-2 in Monaco, can Ferrari continue their run of excellent form in Canada? Or will Hamilton take his billionth win at what seems to be his favourite circuit? Ferrari look like they have the car to genuinely challenge (and even beat) Mercedes when things go their way, and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve looks to be one of Bottas’ stronger circuits, so it’s genuinely still up in the air – unlike the last 2 years!
Let’s look back at some of the dramatic moments to have taken place at Montreal’s classic circuit over the years, shall we?
Kubica’s Monstrous Crash (2007)
Having made contact with Trulli’s Toyota in the approach up to the hairpin, Kubica’s front wheels left the track surface – which turned the racecar he was in into an oversized, debris-spewing missile.
With an impact measured at something like 75G, Robert Kubica would have most probably spent some time in a horizontal orientation after this incident. He would sit out the following race at Indianapolis, where a young newcomer named Sebastian Vettel would fill in for him, scoring points for BMW Sauber on his debut. Kubica returned to BMW Sauber directly after, and would win the Canadian Grand Prix the following year.
Alonso and Fisi’s rocket-like start (2005)
Anyone watching Formula 1 in the early to mid 2000s would know that Renault made some immense starts off the line. The rearward weight bias of their chassis meant that the Renaults had superior traction to their competition. Alonso and Fisichella managed to slice their way from 3rd and 4th on the grid to running 1st and 2nd, Fisi seizing the lead from Alonso into the first corner. Alonso would proceed to complain about the Italian’s lack of pace, and would eventually get past. Unfortunately for the pair of them, neither Renault would finish the race that day – handing victory to the McLaren of Raikkonen.
Mansell snatches defeat from the jaws of victory (1991)
With rivals like Prost, Senna and Berger all retiring in the 1991 edition of the race, Mansell was all alone at the front of the pack, leading by the thicker half of a minute by the final lap of the race. However, Mansell slowed down on the final lap to wave to the crowd, which allegedly caused the electronics of the car to fail. Mansell’s car slowed to a halt with just 2 corners remaining, which gifted Nelson Piquet his 3rd win at the Canadian GP (and final win of his career).
Button navigates his way to victory (2011)
Jenson pulled out what was probably the greatest drive in modern times with his 2011 victory at the circuit – after colliding with his teammate as well as Alonso, sustaining a puncture and receiving a drive-through penalty for speeding behind the safety car, Button forced Vettel into a mistake on the final lap of the 4 hour-long race, handing him the victory. Button’s pace was so mighty, he clocked a lap of 1:16.9 in very treacherous, damp conditions – which was over a second faster than the qualifying lap times set by the newcomer teams in dry conditions. Seriously impressive stuff – there was little doubt regarding Button’s abilities after this race was completed.