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Hamilton bounces back to head Mercedes 1-2 in Canada

NEWS STORY
07/06/2015

Check our Twitter feed and you'll see that at 16:28 (BST) we tweeted: "150+ mins before 'kick-off' and we're predicting @ValtteriBottas' maiden win. Just have that feeling #F1 #CanadaGP"

We can't explain it, like we said it's just a feeling we've had all weekend. That said, he's got to get this first win sometime so where better than the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Though if our prediction proves correct let's just hope Valtteri is able to build on it as opposed to one of our all-time F1 favourites Jean Alesi.

In the same way that we feel Bottas is in for a good day, likewise we fear more pain for Mercedes. All weekend when he's been hot Lewis has been really hot, but along the way there have been so many niggly little mistakes.

Furthermore, despite what he might say publicly, he will not have forgotten the nightmare of two weeks ago. Who would.

Nico Rosberg will be there, but in the same way it is hard to forget the events of a fortnight back, it is similarly difficult to erase last year's race from the back of the mind. This is not a circuit ideally suited to the Mercedes.

With Sebastian Vettel starting in Quebec, Kimi Raikkonen has an ideal opportunity to get Maurizio Arrivabene off his back. All weekend the Finn has looked his old self, and surely deserves a good result. At the same time, let's not write-off Vettel, indeed, let's hope the TV director keeps us fully informed of the German's progress.

Like Ferrari, Williams had a day of mixed fortunes yesterday, for while Bottas starts fourth, teammate Felipe Masa lines up 15th on the grid - he actually qualified 17th, behind Vettel, but there were so, so many penalties to be handed out.

The Williams will be strong here - all Mercedes powered cars will be strong here - so providing the Brazilian has one of his better, less emotional, days, he could still leave here with some points.

The stars of qualifying have to be the Lotus duo, Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado. Providing they can stay out of trouble - we're talking to you Mr Maldonator - the Enstone team could leave here fifth in the constructors' standings.

The Force India duo also impressed, and what better way to celebrate the impending arrival of the much anticipated B-car (at Silverstone) than to sign off the VJM08 with a decent points haul.

Splitting the force India drivers were the Red Bull pair, Daniil Kvyat insisting that recent criticism from the Markonator has done him good, taken him out of his comfort zone. However, it was look on teammate Daniel Ricciardo's face that said it all, the popular Australian, for the first time in living memory, not sporting that infectious grin.

At Toro Rosso all hopes appear to rest on the young shoulders of Carlo Sainz. His teammate, Max Verstappen, already handicapped by the 5-place grid penalty incurred in Monaco, has picked up a further ten-place penalty after becoming the first driver to use a fifth power unit, and even has a 10s time penalty for good measure. Indeed, the only punishment not meted out to the youngster was to write five hundred times, "I wish I had a Mercedes power unit in my car, and I wish my car was a Mercedes, or Williams or Lotus."

As for Sainz, his young shoulders are more than capable of bringing some points back to Faenza, more than capable.

The best bit of pace from Sauber this weekend was the speed with which Felipe Nasr's car was repaired following his FP3 crash. Both drivers did well to get into Q2 but the Swiss team is the first to admit that there is much to work on.

In what has been a momentous week for Manor - new technical staff, including Bob Bell, a reserve driver and a sponsor, it would be entirely wrong to rain on the team's parade. Instead let's hope the team can get both cars home again, and possibly even benefit from one of those freak results this circuit regularly serves up.

As for McLaren, what can one say. Poor Jenson didn't even get to run in qualifying, and to add insult to injury has to serve a drive-through (within three laps of the start) after Honda changed the MGU-H and turbo on his car. Yet still he keeps smiling.

Teammate Fernando Alonso was clearly giving everything in qualifying, but it is clear the team, and its engine partner, has a long, long way to go.

While the weather gods are unlikely to have a say in today's race, we know from experience that we don't need a downpour in order to turn this rain on its head. With high demands on the engine, brakes and fuel consumption, anything can - and usually does - happen. And then there are those unforgiving walls, not least the daddy of them all... the Wall of Champions.

To further spice up the day we have the obstacle course that is the final chicane (turns 13/14). It is clear that Charlie Whiting and his pals are tasking special interest in how drivers negotiate this little complex of tarmac and rubber, and we can expect a number of drivers to be punished today. Indeed, such is the gusto with which the stewards have been approaching their work this week it is almost as though they are on commission.

Finally, let's not forget that it was at this circuit (in 1973) that a Safety Car was first deployed, and with further appearance in 11 of the last 16 Canadian Grands Prix, it's likely that Bernd Maylander will find himself leading yet another Grand Prix at some stage today.

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READERS COMMENTS

 

1. Posted by Kkiirmki, 08/06/2015 22:37

"I'd think that TORC is correct here? Disregarding Rosberg's obvious request, Hamilton is receiving driving instructions from his team, "(50 meter, then 100 meter lift & coast)". As far as I'm aware this against the FIA technical and sporting regulations, unless anyone can argue otherwise?
"

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2. Posted by TORC, 08/06/2015 17:19

"@Insane Reindeer: I stand corrected. I went back and listened to the radio call a second time and you are correct. Roseberg queried about Hamilton's fuel situation, which is a no-no and Mercedes responded appropriately. However, I'm confused about the radio rules governing direct driver assistance from the pits. I am under the impression that telling Hamilton specifics (50 meter, then 100 meter lift & coast) about his driving behavior is a blatant rule infraction. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it is a sign that F1 rules are way to incomprehensible for an average viewer..."

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3. Posted by Insane Reindeer, 08/06/2015 15:08

"Hello @TORC. Not wishing to come across as defending anyone here but I think you misheard... Rosberg was asking what the fuel situation was like... In Hamilton's car! And that they can't discuss over the radio. As you pointed out they can talk about their own fuel situation they just can't discuss their team mates. Or any other driver. At least that is how I heard it and how I understand it. If I am, in turn, wrong then could someone please be so kind as to clarify it once more for my benefit?"

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4. Posted by BWesty, 08/06/2015 10:56

"Oh my word, all I want to see is some racing... Rosburg is clearly not the man to challenge Hamilton. I really thought Rosburg would be a little more aggressive, but he was like a damp squib. It's becoming a snore fest. with the top drivers driving go-karts, and unable to compete against the Merc power units, this is quickly becoming a season to forget. Thank goodness Massa and Vettal started from the back to give us some entertainment. Oh yes, and thank goodness there is one guy on the track that is not afraid to race, Keep going Vestappen you're the only one doing anything remotely exciting on track."

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5. Posted by bfairey, 07/06/2015 23:20

"What fuel consumption? what is this an economy run?"

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6. Posted by bfairey, 07/06/2015 23:18

"This whole business is a embarrassment for both Button and Alonso. Why doesn’t McLaren run their test/backup drivers
until the problems are solved."

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7. Posted by TORC, 07/06/2015 22:48

"Hmmm... When Rosberg asked about his fuel consumption a couple laps from the end, the response was "We can't comment on that." But they had already advised Hamilton to lift 'n coast 50 meters early to save fuel, then post the refused Rosberg information request, once again improperly directly coached Hamilton's driving by advising 100 meter lift 'n coasting to make it to the end. Pretty blatant rule infraction for Hamilton's benefit. So much for intra-team equality... Oh, and how would Hamilton react to a 3-5 second post race penalty for those illegal communications (The very ones he requested and Mercedes provided) that would hand the Canadian GP to Rosberg? I'd consider lodging a protest with Charlie if I was on Rosberg's side of the garage..."

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8. Posted by F One, 07/06/2015 21:16

"Incredibly tedious race."

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