Clearly, the gods of Formula 1 have access to my computer because this column was supposed to be something quite different.
I had a clever idea and shared it with my editor. After returning from the motorcycle races on the Isle of Man—an event I consider the best spectator sport—I planned to write a witty column contrasting it with the dull Monaco GP. My conclusion was going to be a cheeky remark about Max Verstappen winning the Canadian GP, barely mentioning the race.
Smugness comes before a fall, and I was smug. Formula 1, the erratic child, delivered the unexpected in Montreal. The Canadian GP turned out to be thrilling, proving why we love the sport. So, that column idea is shelved—for now.
Qualifying in Canada was a blast. George Russell took pole, though Max Verstappen recorded an identical time, earning P2 only because he was second on the road. McLaren looked strong with the second row covered, and Daniel Ricciardo’s P5 was sensational, despite a war of words with Jacques Villeneuve.
(Sidenote: Villeneuve’s comments on Ricciardo were surprising but perhaps justified. Ricciardo, like Gunther Steiner, has become a Netflix star, despite his career nosediving. Even after a season outside F1 and a lackluster return, he remains popular and wealthy, though his hunger to win is questionable. As a team manager, I’d enjoy a beer with Ricciardo but wouldn’t hire him as a driver.)
Other stories from qualifying included Ferrari failing to make Q3 while Alex Albon excelled. Poor Checo Perez, fresh off a new two-year deal, crashed out in Q1. You just want to hug the bloke.
The race almost didn’t start due to the wet conditions, but once it did, it was exhilarating. Rain makes races unpredictable, leading to mistakes and exciting strategies. The leaders handled the wet conditions well initially, but some, like Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, struggled once the water receded.
Ferrari had a miserable time. Charles Leclerc’s engine issues and gamble on slicks cost him dearly, eventually leading to retirement. Carlos Sainz compounded their woes by crashing late in the race, taking out Albon in the process. Ferrari will likely detest Montreal for years.
McLaren should have won this race. They messed up a pit stop, costing Lando Norris a victory. On the final restart, Verstappen showed why he’s the best, delivering when his team needed him most. Oscar Piastri was quiet but admirable for handling such challenging conditions.
George Russell drove aggressively and excitingly, despite beating himself up for mistakes. His bold move on Piastri showed his potential to be a future world champion.
Meanwhile, on the Isle of Man, Davey Todd won three senior TT races, averaging 135 mph and reaching speeds over 200 mph. His rival, Peter Hickman, crashed at 80 mph, narrowly missing a wall, only to hobble to a nearby pub for a pint. The commentators even reminisced about the last time a TT winner sported a mullet and mustache combination.
Even a great F1 race is shaded by the awesome Isle of Man TT.
Top illustration: Ralph Hermens
Leave a Reply