Canadian Grand Prix – The Highlights

On the Formula 1 calendar since 1967 and on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit since 1978, the Canadian Grand Prix has often had crazy editions that have left a mark in the history of the sport.

2008, the year of revenge for Kubica.

In 2007, the Polish driver was the victim of a terrifying crash. After a 75G impact against a wall, he became a passenger in his dislocated race car for a few long seconds, but fortunately well protected inside his survival cell. Although the worst was feared for a few moments, Robert Kubica ultimately escaped with a head injury and an ankle injury.

For the 2008 edition, BMW Sauber still trusts him, and it is behind the wheel of a competitive car that he approaches this Canadian weekend. Indeed, he only has six points behind the leader Lewis Hamilton.

Impressive in free practice, he achieves the second fastest time in qualifying.

In the race, he takes advantage of the collision between Räikkönen and Hamilton right in the pit lane to secure his first victory. It is also the first victory for his team.

He also takes the lead of the championship ahead of Felipe Massa.

2011, the longest trial in Formula 1.

Jenson Button has only won the Canadian Grand Prix once, but what an edition! The race was marked by extreme weather conditions. With a two-hour interruption and the safety car coming on track six times, the race lasted just over four hours.

Qualified seventh, two places behind Lewis Hamilton, the British driver hopes for at best a podium finish behind the wheel of his McLaren, which has performance issues compared to the leaders, Red Bull and Ferrari.

The race starts under the safety car regime, and as soon as it releases the pack, Hamilton and Webber collide. Coming back to his teammate, Hamilton gets hit by Button, it’s retirement for car number 3, broken suspension.

It is this first race event that triggers the 2009 champion to switch to rescue mode. Indeed, by returning to the pits prematurely following his collision, in order to assess the condition of his car, he takes the opportunity to put on intermediate tires.

As the track is drying out, this gives him a significant advantage over his opponents. Unfortunately, he received a drive-through penalty following his accident. He serves the penalty while the safety car is deployed. He comes out in fourteenth position.

The rain once again makes its appearance and comes to the rescue. The race is stopped for two hours. When it resumes, all drivers must put on rain tires. Confident with his car, Button drives aggressively. In fact, he has another collision with Alonso which causes the Spaniard’s retirement.

After other neutralizations, the race is launched one last time for the last ten laps. This is enough for him to move up from fifth to first place. He acquires this victory by causing Sebastian Vettel to make a mistake in the last corners of the final lap.

An epic race, during which Jenson Button went to the pit six times and had two collisions.

Ferrari’s comeback in 2018

In 2018, the race was not as spectacular as in 2011, but it was a symbol of Ferrari’s strong comeback. Mercedes has been dominating the discussions since the start of the hybrid era in 2014, but on the Île Notre-Dame, Sebastian Vettel definitely intended to make a strong impact.

He thus achieved the pole position, and was never troubled during the race, even when restarting after the safety car intervention. He was the leader from the first to the last lap without interruption.

If he doesn’t achieve the fastest lap in the race, he still gets voted as the driver of the day. Thus, he signs his fiftieth victory, regains the lead in the championship, and most importantly, allows Ferrari to secure a victory on Canadian soil that they have been waiting for for fourteen years!