Canadian Grand Prix Montreal

[Kilroy]

So is anyone going to the Grand Prix in Montreal this weekend? We went in 2011 and got soaked. Would love to do it again someday.

I'm rooting for Kimi Räikkönen myself - he "Knows what he's doing" Any other F1 fans here? Who do you like this weekend?

[Txxxxxxx]

I'm a huge F1 fan. I've been to the Grand Prix in Montreal once. I was hoping to go this year but my daughter's birthday on Sunday. I like to sit at Senna Corner because you get to see the cars coming down the start finish straight, and then into that technical corner.

Go ALONSO!!!

[mizzyboy]

Yeah I'm heading down this weekend. Last time I went was 2004 when Schumacher dominated in the Ferrari.

The weather is still up in the air, so I think it could be an interesting weekend and winner as well.

Logically, I would think that Hamilton is the favourite but Alonso needs to do something to keep up in the Championship.

Guess we'll have to wait and see, this race is always one of the premiere events of the season.

[bNeill]

I know nothing about F1 but I'm going to take part in the festivities on Crescent and Peel. Vettel seemed like a cool guy on Top Gear so (if he's racing) I'd probably root for him.

[Sakuraba]

I went for the whole weekend once: gee, I guess that was 10 years ago? Villeneuve was racing for BAR Honda, and Michael Schumacher won to the delight of the very pro-Ferrari fans. Awesome weekend. Bring earplugs.

[Txxxxxxx]

I went for the whole weekend once: gee, I guess that was 10 years ago? Villeneuve was racing for BAR Honda, and Michael Schumacher won to the delight of the very pro-Ferrari fans. Awesome weekend. Bring earplugs.

That was the last race I went to I believe. Awesome weekend.

[Kilroy]

A couple of interesting facts

• Of the current grid, Lewis Hamilton is the master of Montreal, though it has been a case of win or bust. The Mercedes driver has started five races in Canada, winning three times (2007, 2010, 2012) and retiring twice (2008, 2011). Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button have each won the race once, with Button's victory remarkably achieved despite having led just one lap during his 12 Canadian Grand Prix appearances.

• Canada holds the distinction of hosting the longest Grand Prix of all time - the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix which lasted 4h 4m 39.537s and included a two-hour rain delay. It was eventually won in dramatic style by Jenson Button.

[mizzyboy]

To truly appreciate the sport of F1, one has to go to the event since none of us will ever have the chance to get into the drivers seat.

The Canadian Grand Prix is also one of the most unique and interesting races of the season. If you want to know more, go here:

http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2013/6/14631.html

[Sakuraba]

I remember leaving the site when the race ended, and I think that was the largest crowd I’ve ever been in. It was wall to wall humanity, heading towards the metro. That was one time I was glad to be 6’5” because there was literally someone pressed into me on all sides, shuffling our feet slowly. If you were prone to agoraphobia, stay in your seat for an extra half hour after the race.

I think the Monaco track is the coolest, but heck, I’m unlikely to go there just for F1. If you’ve never been, it is worth the trip. Tickets for just the time trials can be had fairly cheap, and Montreal is just a couple hours away...

[Kilroy]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/le4kyeStwfI?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Kilroy]

Mark Webber gives us a tour in the Red Bull simulator

[Kilroy]

Onboard

[Kilroy]

One More

[Kilroy]

Track guide courtesy of Viva F1

Previous Winners

2012 Lewis Hamilton McLaren Montreal
2011 Jenson Button McLaren Montreal
2010 Lewis Hamilton McLaren Montreal
2008 Robert Kubica BMW-Sauber Montreal
2007 Lewis Hamilton McLaren Montreal
2006 Fernando Alonso Renault Montreal
2005 Kimi Raikkonen McLaren Montreal
2004 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Montreal
2003 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Montreal
2002 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Montreal
2001 Ralf Schumacher Williams Montreal
2000 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Montreal
1999 Mika Hakkinen McLaren Montreal
1998 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Montreal
1997 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Montreal
1996 Damon Hill Williams Montreal
1995 Jean Alesi Ferrari Montreal
1994 Michael Schumacher Benetton Montreal
1993 Alain Prost Williams Montreal

[Kilroy]

Methinks today's practice will look a lot like the 2011 race.

2011%20Canadian%20GP.jpgcanada7afp_1919197i.jpgcanada10reu_1919200i.jpg

[Kilroy]

Bottas (in a Williams seat) qualifies 3rd. Stunning to say the least. Got to give him and the team props for that. Totally out of the blue for both Williams cars to get to Q3 (top 10 today) let alone a P3 for the race. Let`s hope the pressure doesn`t pop his skull into turn one tomorrow. We don`t need the 3rd car on the grid taking out half the field in the first corner.

Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Vergne, Maldonado and Perez summoned to stewards for not forming up correctly at end of pit lane during qualifying.

LOL... Less that 2 min to go in Q2 and they all clump up at pit out for the re-start. Could be interesting if penalties are imposed.

My man Kimi is not looking good in 8th on the grid already. Add a penalty and he`ll be a hero if he finishes in the points to match Michael Schumacher`s consecutive race points record, especially after almost blowing it in Monaco. It`s going to be interesting on many levels.

[Kilroy]

Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen and Toro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciardo have been given two-place grid penalties for not queuing up correctly at the pit exit when Q2 resumed in Montreal on Saturday following the red flag for Felipe Massa’s accident.

Several drivers were called to the stewards following qualifying, but only Raikkonen and Ricciardo were penalised as they did not leave the pit exit in the order in which they arrived, and did not exit from the designated ‘fast lane’.

On a dry track Kimi will come back screaming to the front. He needs 10th or better to finish in the points. Should be no problem.

[Kilroy]

What a dismal weekend for Kimi. His closest rivals are one and two and he is ninth. At least the points streak is still going. He has now equaled Schumi's record of most consecutive point scoring finishes.

Good race overall, if you ignore Vettel's walk in the park win (again). Some great battles mid pack.

Full story http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/...772/story.html

[Kilroy]

Aw crap.
Track worker crushed to death by crane after Canadian Grand Prix race
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Track+worker+c...ce+critical/8501186/story.html

[mizzyboy]

Oh wow, I didn't see that article.

But what a fantastic race yesterday. The weather turned out perfect for racing and the crowd. I also liked the fact that general parking was free and the cab service to the grand prix. Exiting the venue was surprisingly smooth if you shuttle to the casino then to the parking instead of walking with the large crowds.

I was rooting for Alonso and while he came up short, 2nd place is still a fantastic result. Congrats to Seb for a fantastic race, he was nearly perfect. All in all a good grand prix will definitely come back!