Fernando Alonso won his first Canadian Grand Prix after holding off challenges from Ferrari and McLaren. The reigning world champion almost made it look easy, but it seems that the other teams have started to close the gap between the performance and if a break through is found, we may just have a race develop in the points.
Michael Schumacher tried as hard as he could to challenge for the lead, but a rather lackluster qualifying session held the German back a little too far to give him a shot at the win in the closing laps. The Renault is definitely the package of the last two seasons, but strong drives even in not the best equipment show why Schumacher has won so many championships. You have to wonder if a team change for the Spaniard is the right career move at this point.
Kimi Raikkonen had his bit of bad luck in the pits and saw a third place qualifying slot turn into a third place finish. The McLaren is quick, but the Woking based team just doesn't seem to be able to make it all come together on Sundays. The Finn did set the fastest lap of the race, but it still left him trailing by several seconds at the checkered flag.
Giancarlo Fisichella knows that he'll be Flavio's number one next year, and he showed off for the team by jumping the start and being called in for a drive-through penalty. I'm sure that the powers that be at Renault were just happy as pocs dans la merde to see that kind of TV coverage. Mon dieu...
Filepe Massa was the last car on the lead lap when it was all said and done, and fifth place probably ensured a small check was written if there is a performance contract in place, which means Jean Todt's son can probably cover his car payment this month. The tifosi are noticing that one Brazilian number two is just as good as another.
Jarno Trulli didn't do much except slow Michael Schumacher's pace as he drove to another uneventful also-ran position. Toyota gave up at Le Mans without ever winning, they've got to be getting close to that same position with this program. You don't need to win at F1 to sell cars that drive like household appliances.
Nick Heidfeld captured two points for BMW which isn't saying much. But what is important is that he finished in the points, which could not be said about the local favorite who still hasn't figured out how to safely get around a race track named after his father. BMW needs to reconsider its advertising slogan before people start calling it "the ultimate driving machine for people who can't drive".
The last of the available points from this weekend went to David Coulthard who just keeps on trying regardless of the quality of the ride in the Red Bull. Coverage is coverage, which is good when you're trying to sell really expensive sugar water.
Okay, let's go through the list of shame.
Jenson Button sucks. Ninth place is the same as not showing up. Honda seemed to be fast at the beginning of the year. They seem to have lost it.
Toro Rosso has Speed, only problem is that his name is the only quick thing about him. He may get more coverage at Indy next week, but in Montreal, he was just another tourist.
Klien, well, he did finish a lap back and ahead of a Williams. But Williams isn't what it has been in the past.
Montiero was set to finish last of the finishers, but Sato-san's not so Super Aguri crashed on the last lap. FOR THE LOVE OF THE SPORT, BRING BACK THE 107% RULE!!!
Montreal's track is only used a handful of times each year, as such, marbles build up to no end. As drivers keep making sharper turns to avoid them, they keep moving in until eventually everyone is sliding all over the place. It does make for entertaining racing if you think F1 is about drifting. Maybe the fast and the furious crowd will start watching the sport. Anything to get more eyes is more money in Bernie's pocket.
Finally, Michelin won their 100th F1 race this weekend. Wouldn't it have been ironic if they waited a week?
F1 returns to Indy next weekend, the one blip on the calendar where NASCAR will be a little quieter for a brief moment.
Race Results
