Lewis Hamilton wins the Canadian Grand Prix 2010
Hamilton regains top spot in the driver’s Champions after winning the Canadian Grand Prix. This is the second victory for Hamilton this season and it is for the first time in 18 months that he is on top spot of driver’s Championship.
Jenson Button finished the raced in second place - concluding the second most successful race for McLaren this season. Hamilton dominated the proceeding at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve before wrapping up the race in the 50th lap. Tyre management was the deciding factor in the race as the wear and tear of the wheels was higher than expected.
There was drama even before the race as Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber was awarded five-place grid penalty for a gear box change. Webber, who was supposed to start in the front row in the second position, was relegated to 7th spot. As a result, Sebastian Vettel started in the front row with Hamilton on pole position. It was the first race in which Red Bull Racing drivers failed to start on pole position.
Hamilton made full use of his position as he took an early lead in the race. McLaren started the race with soft Bridgestone tyres which were relatively harder to the ones used by the Red Bull. Just after the start, the drama began. Sauber’s Pedro de la Rosa skidded around the first corner where as Liuzzi of Force India collided with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa after starting fifth and sixth respectively. Due to the degradation of McLaren soft tyres Button and Hamilton were forced to take early pit stops. Following the McLaren duo was Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.
After exiting the pits, double world champion Fernando Alonso and 2008 champion Hamilton battled to take the lead. Alonso fired his engine to take lead on the Briton. The usage of hard tyres failed to provide any leverage. Australia’s Mark Webber visited the pit stop in lap 13, followed by his teammate Sebastian Vettel. Briefly, Sebastian Buemi’s Toro Rosso held the lead, but it was short lived after a failed attempt by Span’s Alonso at the hairpin allowed Hamilton to regain the top spot.
The drama was far from over as seven-time champion Michael Schumacher scuffled across the grass at the chicane, allowing Schumacher to take the second pit. Later, Webber took the lead but it was momentarily in nature as the degradation of the Australian’s hard tyres allowed Hamilton to regain top spot in the 50th lap. Webber was forced to take another stop in order to switch finally to softer tyres. Alonso ran out of luck as he was held up by Karun Chandhok, giving Button a chance to finish at second which he sealed at hindsight. Alonso claimed third behind the McLaren duo where as Red Bull Racing’s Vettel and Webber came fourth and fifth respectively. Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg came in the sixth position followed by Kubica. Michael Schumacher finished the race on the 11th spot.
Commenting on his victory, Hamilton said, “It was an incredibly challenging afternoon, especially in the last 20 laps, when I was trying to look after my tyres while also keeping Jenson and Fernando [Alonso] behind me. It wasn't easy, I can tell you that! This track is unique - you can never be too confident”.
On the other hand, Red Bull is confident that they will be back in contention in the next race. Talking to reports after the race, Webber said, “Tyres played a huge role in the race today, we did the best we could. I have mixed emotions after the penalty this morning. We expected this to be a tough event and in the end we were closer than we thought. I wanted to get some champagne today, it didn't happen, but we'll be back”.
This race also changes the face of the driver’s Championship table. Hamilton now leads the table followed by his teammate and compatriot Jenson Button on second with just three points behind. The biggest loser after the Canadian GP was Mark Webber as he dropped from the top spot to third - he is six points behind Hamilton. Alonso and Vettel are fourth and fifth with 15 and 19 points behind Hamilton respectively.
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