F1 review: Canadian Grand Prix 2010

The Canadian Grand Prix represents a slight detour away from the recent European races and has the potential to offer us an exciting showpiece. Hamilton starts in pole position, which is not only his first of the year, but the first time Red Bull have failed to start a race at the front of the grid.

Once the lights turn green, Hamilton manages to keep the lead on the first corner, but is closely followed by Vettel, Alonso and Button. The first lap drama involves Massa and Liuzzi as they collide but fortunately no need for the safety car.

The heat is on

The battles are on. Webber is hot on the heels of Button and Kubica in turn is hunting down the Australian. It looks like only a matter of time before the Red Bull takes the McLaren. Lap five and he does just that. Now Button is trying to fend off the challenge of the eager Kubica. Meanwhile the other Red Bull is attempting to force his way past the leader, Hamilton.

It may only be lap seven, but the first pit stops are already taking place. Both Hamilton and Alonso come in for new tyres and exit at exactly the same time, almost colliding with each other. Lap seven and we have had more than our fair share of drama. It’s now a Red Bull one-two with Schumacher in third and an impressive Buemi in fourth. Schumacher gets a bit naughty as he blocks Kubica from passing him.

It’s now the turn of the Red Bull drivers to pit. The unlikely result of this is that Buemi now leads the race for the first time ever. However, it doesn’t last long, as the Swiss driver comes into the pits and Hamilton leads the race again after sneaking past the Ferrari of Alonso.

Early pitting

We’re not even half way through the race and Hamilton pits for the second time, closely followed by Button and Vettel. Webber now leads, but has only pit once so far. It looks very much like a five car race now.

When the German finally pits he hands the lead back to Hamilton for the third time. It is now McLaren, Ferrari, McLaren with nineteen laps to go.

Suddenly Alonso’s concentration wavers for a few crucial seconds which allows Button to pass him on the outside making it a McLaren one-two. It looks like Turkey all over again with a mere thirteen laps left.

Far from impressive

In the week, Schumacher was reported to be concentrating on next season already and he’s using this year as practice. This is fairly evident when he actually gets lapped by the leaders. Not quite vintage Schumacher. He then forces Massa wide who consequently loses a wing and the German’s tyres look completely shot. Not a great weekend for the seven times World Champion.

Only three seconds separate the top three cars as Hamilton records the fastest lap of the race to keep the chasing Button at bay.

Joy for McLaren

The good news for British fans is that the rapidly deteriorating tyres hold out and Hamilton takes the chequered flag for his second win in succession. Button makes it a McLaren one-two, again for the second successive race. The Ferrari of Alonso completes the podium as he claims a decent third position. Vettel and Webber only manage fourth and fifth respectively as they limp home. Possibly one of the great performances of the day goes to Buemi who finishes in the points, with the two Force Indias completing the top ten. Arguably the worst performance of the day goes to Schumacher who finished out of the points, had three separate controversial incidents and generally had an awful weekend. Just as well he is concentrating on next year now.

Hamilton now leads the World Championship with Button in close pursuit. We are back to Europe for the European Grand Prix in Valencia in two weeks time. Will it be rule Britannia? Will we have something to cheer about in the football? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Watch the race highlights here.