The Canada GP is a few weeks earlier than usual, and if their weather is anything like Toronto’s we’re in for an exciting weekend – we’ve had rain, 30°C heat, and thunderstorms in the past few days!
It’s also a sprint format weekend, so there’s just one practice session before it gets serious.
Mercedes have brought some front aero upgrades this weekend, as did Alpine.
Free Practice
- FP1: ANT (1:13.402), RUS, HAM, LEC, VER
NOR locked up into Turn 13, cutting the chicane; PIA then did the same
NOR also took to the grass a couple of times in subsequent laps
VER kicked up a lot of dust when he ran wide in Turn 7
VER and HAM both cut across the grass in Turn 8/9
LAW lost power steering and parked his RB
ALB hit a groundhog, causing him to hit the wall and break the front-left suspension of his Williams
RUS was pushing his Mercedes; he slid out of Turn 1, backwards through T2 and came to rest against the tyre wall
OCO reported his Haas was bottoming out on the bumps; he lost the rear on a kerb, spinning across the track and into a wall, destroying the nose
Penalties
Ferrari fined €1,000 for LEC speeding in the pit lane
OCO was not penalised for leaving the pit lane 1.11 seconds after the session ended
Racing Bulls fined €30,000 (€20,000 of it suspended for 12 months) because the CDS (clutch release) on LAW’s car did not function when the car stopped on the track
Sprint Qualifying
Sprint Qualifying session 1 (SQ1)
HAM 1:13.922
HAM 1:13.889
Red flag – ALO is in the tyre wall! He locked up and slid across the grass, into the tyres
Chequered flag; bottom 6 are PER, STR, GAS, BOT, ALB, LAW
No-one improved on their times
Back of the grid: PER, STR, GAS, BOT; ALB & LAW did not set a time
SQ2
ALO’s through to SQ2 but his car needs to be rebuilt
RUS 1:13.026
Chequered flag; bottom 6 are BOR, SAI, COL, OCO, BEA, ALO
COL P12
OCO P14
BEA P15
SAI P10, relegating HUL to P11
Middle of the grid: HUL, BOR, COL, OCO, BEA, ALO
SQ3
HAM 1:13.411
HAD P2
VER P2
SAI P4
NOR P4
LIN P4
RUS 1:13.194
PIA P5
LEC P6
ANT P3
Order after the first run: RUS, HAM, ANT, VER, HAD, PIA, LEC, LIN, NOR, SAI
HAM P2
VER P4
Chequered flag; order is still RUS, HAM, ANT, VER, HAD, PIA, LEC, LIN, NOR, SAI
SAI P10
NOR P2
LIN P8
RUS 1:12.965
PIA P3
LEC P5
ANT P2
Front of the grid: RUS, ANT, NOR, PIA, HAM, LEC, VER, HAD, LIN, SAI
Provisional grid: RUS, ANT, NOR, PIA, HAM, LEC, VER, HAD, LIN, SAI, HUL, BOR, COL, OCO, BEA, ALO, PER, STR, GAS, BOT, ALB, LAW
Penalties
ALB and LAW are permitted to start the Sprint race despite not meeting the 107% time
LIN and ANT each received a warning for exceeding the time limit between the Safety Car lines (i.e. lap was too slow)
ALB, BEA, BOT, and GAS will all start from the pit lane after parc ferme infringements
Sprint Race
Pit lane is open; drivers can make their way to the grid
Grid: RUS, ANT, NOR, PIA, HAM, LEC, VER, HAD, LIN, SAI, HUL, BOR, COL, OCO, ALO, PER, STR, LAW; ALB, BEA, BOT, GAS all start from the pit lane
Looks like STR’s Aston Martin has a suspension issue – they’re working on it on the grid
STR has been pushed into the pit lane; he’s still in the car, so might still join the race
RUS leads everyone away on the formation lap
Everyone on medium compound tyres except LIN on hards, with PER, STR and BOT on softs
RUS takes his grid spot, pointing hard to the right
01/23: RUS leads through the first turns
HAM takes P4 from PIA
OCO inside PER at the hairpin; takes P12
STR has left the pit lane
02: RUS, ANT, NOR, HAM, PIA, LEC, VER, HAD, LIN, SAI
STR has been noted for a starting procedure infringement
05/23: RUS, ANT, NOR, HAM, PIA, LEC, VER, HAD, LIN, SAI, COL, OCO, PER, HUL, LAW, ALO, BOR, BEA, GAS, ALB, BOT, STR
HAD reporting an engine problem; he’s lost 5 places in half a lap
06: ANT attacks into Turn 1; RUS defends; ANT cuts across the grass
ANT has another look at his teammate but cuts the corner again; NOR steals P2
ANT on the radio to his team complaining RUS was “naughty”
07: ANT says RUS should get a penalty; Bono tells him to keep cool
08: Bono still trying to calm ANT and re-focus him; Toto joins in, telling ANT to focus on his driving and not moaning
09: HAD pits; retires
10/23: RUS, NOR, ANT, HAM, PIA, LEC, VER, LIN, COL, SAI
NOR has closed to under 1sec behind RUS
HAM is right on ANT’s rear wing
HAD leaves the garage and rejoins the race
11: PIA gets close to HAM into the hairpin
ANT is opening the gap over HAM
14: ANT closing on NOR
15/23: RUS, NOR, ANT, HAM, PIA, LEC, VER, LIN, COL, SAI
HUL under investigation for leaving the track and gaining an advantage
ALB pits; soft tyres go on
16: HAM defends P4 from PIA into Turn 1
17: RUS catches ALB (P20); complains that ALB is in the middle of the road as he tries to lap the Williams
18: ALO pits; he’s pushed into the garage
19: VER noted for yellow flag infringement
20/23: RUS, NOR, ANT, HAM, PIA, LEC, VER, LIN, COL, SAI
HUL given 10-sec penalty for leaving the track
GAS pits
21: HAM very close to the Wall of Champions; he’s on the radio saying he thinks he hit it
Replay confirms he did tap the wall
No further investigation for VER
22: Are NOR and ANT waiting for the last lap to attack?
NOR locks up into the hairpin
23/23: ANT attacks into Turn 1, runs across the grass
PIA past HAM in the chicane… LEC takes P5 from teammate HAM
RUS takes the chequered flag
Toto has to speak to ANT again, telling him they’ll talk about within the team not over the radio
Provisional result: RUS, NOR, ANT, PIA, LEC, HAM, VER, LIN; COL, SAI, PER, LAW, BOR, OCO, HUL, STR, BOT, BEA, ALB, GAS, HAD, ALO
PER and LAW are under investigation – forcing a driver off the track
Penalties
PER given 10-sec penalty, dropping him to P14
Rain during the race?
From the Stewards: “having received a forecast from the Official Weather Service predicting that the probability of precipitation will be greater than 40% at some time during the Race at this Competition, a Rain Hazard is declared.”
Qualifying
It’s absolutely pouring down in Toronto, but Montreal is dry and overcast
Air temperature 21°C; track 31°C; humidity 23%
Qualifying session 1 (Q1)
There’s a queue at the end of the pit lane, waiting for the start
COL seemed to be booting down the pit lane just as Aston Martin sent ALO out; COL had to brake heavily, but will either be penalised?
ALO under investigation for unsafe release
His teammate, STR, is also under investigation for being released with the car in an unsafe condition
PIA 1:15.105
VER 1:14.609
NOR 1:14.213
Incident involving PER and ALO under investigation
LEC’s lap time deleted
VER 1:14.067
RUS 1:13.953
ANT 1:13.380
HUL locks up, cuts a corner, and then teammate BOR does the same
HAD P2
5mins left; bottom 6 are BOR, ALO, HUL, BOT, STR, GAS
Radio from BEA reporting a piece of bodywork came off
HAM noted for impeding GAS
Chequered flag; bottom 6 are OCO, HUL, PER, ALO, STR, BOT
OCO P15 relegating BOR to P17
ALO P18
HUL P14, ALB P17
BOR P16, OCO P17
Back of the grid: OCO, ALB, ALO, PER, STR, BOT
Qualifying session 2
HAD 1:13.623
NOR 1:13.235
ANT 1:13.076
Radio from VER complaining that he can’t get his front tyres up to temperature
5mins left; bottom 6 are COL, SAI, BOR, BEA, GAS, LAW
RUS locks up in Turn 1
HAM 1:13.041
had 1:12.975
Chequered flag; bottom 6 are LAW, HUL, SAI, BOR, GAS, BEA
BEA P14
SAI P13
BOR P13
GAS P14
Middle of the grid: HUL, LAW, BOR, GAS, SAI, BEA
Qualifying session 3
VER 1:13.473
HAD P2
PIA 1:13.003
NOR 1:12.729
HAM P2
LEC P4
LIN P5
RUS abandons his laps and heads into the pits
ANT P4
Order after the first run: NOR, HAM, PIA, ANT, LEC, VER, LIN, COL, HAS, RUS
Radio from VER complaining about lack of straight-line speed
RUS P3
ANT 1:12.646
LEC P4
NOR P2
Chequered flag; order is ANT, NOR, HAM, LEC, RUS, PIA, LIN, VER, COL, HAD
PIA P3
HAD P5
RUS 1:12.578
VER P6
Front of the grid: RUS, ANT, NOR, PIA, HAM, VER, HAD, LEC, LIN, COL
Provisional grid: RUS, ANT, NOR, PIA, HAM, VER, HAD, LEC, LIN, COL, HUL, LAW, BOR, GAS, SAI, BEA, OCO, ALB, ALO, PER, STR, BOT
Penalties
Aston Martin fined €5,000 for the unsafe release of ALO
Aston Martin also fined €7,500 for releasing STR with the wheel covers still fitted
PER was reprimanded for not moving off the racing line on his out lap
STR will start from the pit lane after Aston Martin change some engine components
Race
Pit lane is open; drivers can make their way to the grid
Air temperature 12°C; track 17°C; humidity 79% – it’s cool and damp, so tyre temps are going to be an issue
Grid: RUS, ANT, NOR, PIA, HAM, VER, HAD, LEC, LIN, COL, HUL, LAW, BOR, GAS, SAI, BEA, OCO, ALB, ALO, PER, BOT; STR starts from the pit lane
RUS leads everyone away on the formation lap
A real mix of tyres: RUS and ANT on softs; NOR and PIA on intermediate (wet) tyres; HAM, VER, HAD, LEC on softs; LIN and COL on mediums
The start has been aborted – LIN can’t get his car into gear, so there will be another formation lap
Marshals pushing LIN back along the grid as RUS leads everyone round to take up their spots
Radio from PIA asking if he should box for dry tyres, but he takes up his P4 spot
Radio from NOR saying he’s seeing yellow flags indicated on his dash as he sits on the grid
LIN is being wheeled into the pit lane
Another formation lap
Radio for PIA asking about tyres again
LIN pushed into the garage
01/68: Third time lucky – the race actually starts
NOR blasts past the Mercedes duo and takes P1 before Turn 1
ANT past teammate RUS off the line
HAM past PIA for P4
VER closing on PIA
02: PIA dives into the pits; mediums go on; rejoins P21
ANT alongside NOR up the back straight
03: NOR pits; mediums; P14
RUS has a look up the inside of ANT into Turn 1 but backs out
BOT, STR, LAW and HUL noted for being out of position at the safety car line (on one of the formation laps)
04: BOT pits – he’d started on inters too
Radio for NOR telling him they’ll go very long
05/68: ANT, RUS, HAM, VER, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, BEA, GAS, ALO, OCO, ALB, NOR, PIA, STR, HUL, SAI, BOR, PER, BOT; out: LIN
06: RUS attacks into the chicane; ANT locks up; RUS takes P1
Racing Bulls report LIN had a clutch issue
08: NOR inside ALB for P12… and then ALO for P11
09: VER steams past HAM for P3
HUL noted for speeding in the pit lane
Radio from a frustrated HAM complaining of lack of power
10/68: RUS, ANT, VER, HAM, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, BEA, GAS, NOR, ALB, PIA, ALO, OCO, SAI, HUL, STR, BOR, PER, BOT
BOT pits again
11: NOR inside BEA for P10
12: NOR now takes P9 from GAS
ANT steals P1 from RUS, but his teammate reclaims it
13: Yellow flag – ALB stopped in Turn 10 – there’s debris in the hairpin, and now PIA in the pits for a new nose
14: Replay shows PIA dived inside BEA and ALB, hitting ALB’s sidepod, so expect PIA to get a penalty
15/68: RUS, ANT, VER, HAM, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, NOR, GAS; out: ALB, LIN
16: STR pits
NOR pits from P9; he was told there’s a reliability problem; mechanics clean the sidepods; rejoins P14
17: RUS locks up into the hairpin again (he did it a few laps ago); ANT alongside as they approach the chicane; ANT backs off
19: LAW has 10sec penalty
20/68: RUS, ANT, VER, HAM, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, GAS, BEA
21: ALO noted for yellow flag infringement
22: ANT continues to harry teammate RUS as they approach “backmarker” NOR (P12)
RUS moves to defend but ANT takes P1 before the chicane
23: PIA given 10sec penalty for causing the collision with ALB
The timing screen has a load of markers indicating penalties / investigations
24: RUS wide in the hairpin yet again; ANT takes P1
They’re banging wheels on the back straight
25/68: ANT, RUS, VER, HAM, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, GAS, BEA
Radio for ANT telling him to give P1 back to RUS; ANT argues with Bono
26: RUS reclaims P1
Toto tells his drivers to “tidy it up or we will stop it
27: ALO pits; he’s pushed into the garage
28: SkySports report Bono told ANT that both he & RUS are under investigation
30/68: RUS, ANT, VER, HAM, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, GAS, BEA; out: ALO, ALB, LIN
RUS cuts a corner and he’s slowing… stopped
Virtual safety car deployed
31[VSC]: RUS is out of his car but it didn’t look like he put the headrest back, so will he get a penalty?
Lots of people heading into the pits
32[VSC]: RUS’ car is pushed off the track
Replay shows RUS lost power before the corner
VSC ending
33: ANT, VER, HAM, HAD, LEC, COL, LAW, GAS, NOR, SAI, BEA, PIA, HUL, BOR, OCO, PER, STR, BOT; out: RUS, ALO, ALB, LIN
34: Half distance
35/68: LEC closing on HAD; HAD moves right across the track, almost forcing LEC onto the grass
36: HAD noted for a yellow flag infringement
37: HAM starting to close on VER
NOR takes P8 from GAS
38: LEC looking for another way to challenge HAD
39: HAD noted for multiple change of direction under braking
40/68: ANT, VER, HAM, HAD, LEC, COL, LAW, NOR, GAS, SAI
NOR slowing; he’s pulled off at the hairpin and parked it behind the tyre wall
41: ANT delayed as he laps PER and OCO
ANT laps them (2 laps down), then OCO passes PER for P14
42: PER pits… but his front-right suspension breaks as he enters the pit lane!
44: Toto consoles RUS in the pit lane
44: HAD given 10sec penalty for moving under braking
45/68: ANT, VER, HAM, LEC, HAD*, COL, LAW, GAS, SAI, BEA, PIA*, HUL, BOR, OCO, STR, BOT; out: PER, NOR, RUS, ALO, ALB, LIN (*penalties to be served)
46: Pit lane entry closed; VSC deployed – presumably to pick up debris from PER’s suspension
VSC ending
47: BOT under investigation for speeding in the pit lane
50/68: ANT, VER, HAM, LEC, HAD*, COL, LAW, GAS, SAI, BEA – only the top 6 are on the lead lap; OCO and STR are 2 laps down, and BOT is 3 laps down
Radio for LEC, updating him on HAM’s pace, doesn’t go over well – LEC says not to talk to him until the final lap
51: HAD under investigation for yellow flag infringement
52: Big lockup by LEC, just keeping it out of the wall
53: VSC deployed
HAD pits; serves 10sec penalty; softs; P5
PIA pits too; serves his penalty; softs; P13
54[VSC]: VSC ending
55/68: ANT, VER, HAM, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, GAS, SAI, BEA, HUL, BOR, PIA, OCO, STR, BOT*; out: PER, NOR, RUS, ALO, ALB, LIN
56: HAM under 1sec behind VER
BOR noted for VSC infringement
58: HAM tucked up under VER’s rear wing
59: 5sec penalty for BOT for speeding in the pit lane
60/68: ANT, VER, HAM, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, GAS, SAI, BEA
61: Yellow flag – HUL spun in Turn 1 but he’s recovered ok
62: HAM around the outside of VER to take P2 – very nice move!
63: VER is hanging onto HAM’s tail; will he try to fight back
HAD given stop-go penalty for yellow flag infringement
HAD pits to serve that penalty – he’s in such a gap that he’s still P5
65/68: ANT, VER, HAM, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, GAS, SAI, BEA, HUL, BOR, PIA, OCO, STR, BOT
66: VER still under 1sec behind HAM
LAW and GAS both cut the chicane; did LAW rejoin incorrectly?
67: VER now right up on HAM’s gearbox
VER a fraction deep in the hairpin
68/68: HAM and VER lap PIA (P11)
ANT takes the chequered flag
HAM stays ahead of VER
Provisional result: ANT, HAM, VER, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, GAS, SAI, BEA; PIA, HUL, BOR, OCO, STR, BOT
DNF: PER, NOR, RUS, ALO, ALB, LIN
Penalties
There’s a lot of incidents for the stewards to look at, so it might be a while before the result is finalised…
HUL, stop-go penalty (suspended for the rest of this season) for being out of position during the formation lap
RUS, fined €5,000 (suspended for 12 months) for throwing his head restraint onto the track
So no impact on the result!
Final classification: ANT, HAM, VER, LEC, HAD, COL, LAW, GAS, SAI, BEA; PIA, HUL, BOR, OCO, STR, BOT
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