The Dark Memories Of a Sunday In Jun 2007 Were Replaced By Taste Of Mumm

The Formula 1 insiders, drivers, and members of the teams knew it would only be some time until the inevitable happened.  Fans of Ferrari, Mclaren, Sauber-BMW, and all other teams knew that sooner or later Dabrowski's March, would blare through the speakers on an F1 circuit. While some were still wondering if the FOM had supplied Poland's national anthem, there were those that were still reeling from the incredible incident.

The race started off quite well, and by the second corner of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve the drivers in the top three positions were running in their qualifying order.  The question on hand at that point of the race was how long the track would last before it begun to deteriorate.

The state of the track was in question following the Saturday qualifying—where normally there were piles of tyre marbles, there were also pieces of the track surface.  Many drivers had spoken up against even racing there, yet the track management worked around the clock to patch up the circuit in the affected areas.  The deterioration of the Montreal track demonstrated how the removal of driver aids such as traction control and engine breaking affects the sport. 

Over the years the tracks were almost preserved by the use of advanced technologies. The amount of power put down on the surface is uncontrolled, and the tracks are now under more pressure as a result. 

In the end, however, the track lasted the distance, but in order for the race to be held successfuly there next year, a proper resurfacing is necessary. 

Before the planning of the resurfacing would commence on the minds of the drivers, fans, and team members, lay the matter of the championship and the race. 

On the 20th lap of the race the idea of earning points came to a conclusion for both Hamilton and Raikkonen.  What some described as a comical or "rookie mistake" terminated the race for the two arch rivals. The safety car session was still in effect when many of the drivers including, Kubica, Hamilton, Rosberg, and Raikkonen decided to pit for tyre change and refuelling. Kubica and Raikkonen seemed to have the upper hand and both lined up at the end of the pit-lane and waited for the light to turn green. 

Lewis a did not notice the cars stopped at the end of the lane, nor the red light preventing anyone from exiting the pits.  He crashed into Raikkonen, tearing off the Ferrari's rear wing, causing irreversible damage that ended his race for the afternoon. Rosberg smashed into the back of the Britton's car as well. In the end however, the two drivers hurt most were the two retirees, Lewis and Kimi.

When questioned afterward, he simply said:

"I saw the two guys in front battling in the pit lane and all of a sudden they stopped," Hamilton explained. "I saw the red light but by the time I stopped it was too late. I apologize to Kimi if I cost him the race, but these sorts of things happen."

The actual repercussions of the incident will be felt two weeks from now when both Rosberg and Hamilton will serve a 10-grid penalty.

While this was taking place Felipe Massa's pit stop was executed improperly; the Scuderia's pit crew was not ready for the Brazilian when he came in in what looked like the stacking of the pit stops. The boys in red attempted to use Kimi's fuel rig but the stop could not be executed. The result was that by race end the Brazilian had to go through three pit stops and thus could not challenge for the podium.

The podium was made up of David Coulthard in third, Nick Heidfeld in second, and Robert Kubica in first.

As Jordan all these years ago BMW-Sauber executed a 1/2 finish on their first victory.  As Jordan the team did it against all odds, surprising some, and  proving that the decision to abandon the partnership with Williams was not a mistake.

For Robert it was an emotional victory. Only a year ago he had survived an incredible crash at 185 miles per hour which landed him first on his head before the car came to a rest completely destroyed. 

AS the F1 World now gazes towards the next race.  Robert must take in the lessons of the victory and look for ways to maximize from these lessons, otherwise he may end up like the last unpredicted victor, Button. 

BMW must also learn from the victory on and off the track. Don't be surprised if Scuderia Ferrari might already be drafting up a potential contract for the lucky Pole.