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The Canadian Grand Prix last weekend proved to be the perfect example of how topsy-turvy the racing in Formula 1 has been this season, with one of the midfield teams having one of its ‘best’ races so far, and a top team having one of their ‘worst’ drives, writes Naman Arora
After a string of frustrating races, Fernando Alonso and his Aston Martin team finally returned to the top-10 in style at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Both Alonso and his teammate Lance Stroll secured points finishes, a welcome result following a disappointing weekend in Monaco.
Alonso, a two-time world champion, had consistently collected points in the early races of the season. However, that momentum came to a halt with a dismal P19 finish in Imola, followed by a qualifying exit in Q1 and an underwhelming P11 finish in Monaco.
The tide turned in Montreal, however. Alonso held onto his starting position of P6 throughout the race, navigating treacherous changing weather conditions and two Safety Car interventions.
“Yeah, fantastic race for the team,” Alonso beamed after the Grand Prix. “Obviously scoring with both cars is always the target, and sixth and seventh is a good number of points. Extremely difficult race with the conditions, (for the) majority of the race the track was just two metres wide. You cannot put a tyre outside of that dry line, so that is very, very stressful. Congratulations to everybody, because it was I think a difficult race in the cockpit.”
When asked if the team’s improved showing at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve stemmed from a deeper understanding of the car or was simply track-specific, the seasoned driver offered a nuanced answer.
“I think a combination of the two,” Alonso explained. “We are happier with the car now, we understood a few things and I think we are more competitive.
“But, at the same time, we had in the calendar Montreal as one of the best tracks for us, for our package. (There is a) question mark (over) what is going to happen in Barcelona, but I know the team is working flat-out to bring new parts to the next race, and hopefully we keep this level of competitiveness.”
Lance Stroll, Alonso’s teammate, echoed these sentiments. Finishing P7, it was his best result yet on his home turf. He felt the AMR24 car suited the Montreal track well and praised the team’s ability to capitalise on its strengths.
Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s Canadian Grand Prix weekend ended in disappointment after a promising start turned into a frustrating finish.
Despite leading practice sessions and showing glimpses of strong pace, the Mercedes driver could only manage fourth place, falling short of a podium finish in a race he believes he could have won.
Hamilton initially struggled to qualify well, settling for seventh on the grid due to issues with his tyres. This left him stuck behind Alonso for much of the race, hindering his progress. However, a late safety car intervention provided an opportunity for redemption.
“It wasn’t a positive race for me,” Hamilton admitted after the race. He acknowledged his driving performance wasn’t at his best but attributed the overall disappointment to a poor weekend. He pointed out qualifying struggles and being stuck behind Alonso as major setbacks.
Both Hamilton and his teammate, George Russell, pitted for new tires under the safety car, setting the stage for a thrilling battle for the remaining podium positions. Unfortunately for Hamilton, Russell emerged victorious from this duel, leaving him to lament a weekend of missed chances.
However, Hamilton did find some solace in the car’s improved pace, believing a better qualifying position could have led to a potential win.
This disappointing finish leaves Hamilton trailing teammate Russell in the drivers’ standings and Mercedes lagging behind amongst the constructors.
