Canadian GP: Hakkinen-Safety Car, Kubica-BMW, Mansell & more with Steve Slater - Voices of F1

Steve Slater, the Voice of F1 (ESPNStar & Fox Sports among others), joins Soumil Arora to share some of his finest memories from the Canadian Grand Prix over the years.

Did you know? There have been more Canadian Grands Prix than any other Grand Prix outside of Europe.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Steve recalls several iconic races through history - 1999, when Mika Hakkinen became the first driver to win the race under the Safety Car.

1991, when Nigel Mansell lost the race with only half a lap to go (he lost drive). 

Robert Kubica's crash in 2007 to winning his and BMW's first and only Grand Prix in Formula 1 in 2008.

This one's a must-listen! 

Steve predicts a Lewis Hamilton this Sunday! Who do you think will win in Canada? Tell us via the poll on Spotify or tag us on social media.

(Season 2023, Episode 28)

Follow our host on Twitter: Soumil Arora

Image courtesy: Mclaren

**Key Points Discussed in the Podcast:**

* **Steve Slater's Memories of Canadian Grand Prix:**

- Steve Slater, the renowned Formula One commentator, shares his memories and insights from the Canadian Grand Prix over the years.


* **Iconic Canadian GP Moments:**

- Steve recalls several iconic races, including Mika Hakkinen's victory under the Safety Car in 1999, Nigel Mansell's heartbreaking loss due to a mechanical failure in 1991, and Robert Kubica's remarkable win and BMW's first and only Formula One victory in 2008.


* **Canadian GP Uniqueness:**

- Steve highlights the Canadian Grand Prix's unique characteristics, such as its location on an island in the middle of a river, its accessibility via public transportation, and its vibrant atmosphere.


* **Challenges of Canadian GP:**

- Steve acknowledges that the Canadian Grand Prix can sometimes be processional, with long periods of not much happening followed by sudden bursts of action.


* **Favorite Race and Duel:**

- Steve prefers races with unpredictable outcomes and close battles, citing the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix as an example. He also mentions the legendary duel between Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell at the 1991 British Grand Prix as one of his favorites.


* **Current Season Analysis:**

- Steve discusses the dominance of Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen in the 2023 season, attributing it to technical advantages and the team's overall strength.


* **Sergio Perez's Title Chances:**

- Steve assesses Sergio Perez's chances of winning the world championship, considering the significant points deficit he faces compared to Max Verstappen.


* **Aston Martin's Rise:**

- Steve comments on Aston Martin's impressive progress in Formula One, attributing it to their substantial investment and the leadership of Lawrence Stroll.


* **Budget Cap and Sliding Scale Aerodynamics:**

- Steve weighs in on the impact of the budget cap and sliding scale aerodynamics regulations, suggesting that they have helped smaller teams like Aston Martin make significant strides.


* **Ferrari's Struggles:**

- Steve analyzes Ferrari's struggles in the 2023 season, despite their strong driver lineup. He speculates that Ferrari's management may have interfered with the design team's decisions, prioritizing straight-line speed over cornering performance.


* **Fernando Alonso's Transformation:**

- Steve remarks on Fernando Alonso's remarkable transformation from a young, arrogant driver to a more mature and experienced racer who enjoys his time in Formula One.


* **McLaren's Restructuring:**

- Steve explains McLaren's restructuring after losing Mercedes-Benz's financial support, emphasizing the team's focus on profitability and its potential to deliver the best value for money in Formula One.


* **Canadian GP Raft Race:**

- Steve mentions the legendary Canadian GP raft race, where Formula One teams compete against each other in a raft race on an artificial lake.


* **Steve's Commentary Preparation:**

- Steve reveals that he used to bring extensive notes to the commentary box for the Canadian Grand Prix, anticipating long periods of inactivity on the track.


* **2011 Canadian GP Rain Delay:**

- Steve recalls the record-breaking 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, which lasted over four hours due to rain, and how he filled the airtime during the rain delay with Stump Steve on Twitter.


* **Steve's Favorite Race:**

- Steve expresses his preference for races with unpredictable outcomes and close battles, citing the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix as an example. # Inside Line F1 Podcast Transcript Summary

## Episode 28: Canadian Grand Prix Memories with Steve Slater

### Introduction

* Steve Slater, the voice of F1 for ESPN Star and Fox Sports, joins Soumil Arora to reminisce about iconic Canadian Grand Prix races.
* There have been more Canadian Grands Prix than any other Grand Prix outside Europe.

### Memorable Canadian Grand Prix Races

* **1999:** Mika Hakkinen becomes the first driver to win a race under the Safety Car.
* **1991:** Nigel Mansell loses the race with half a lap to go due to a stalled engine.
* **2008:** Robert Kubica wins his and BMW's first and only Grand Prix victory in Formula 1.

### Robert Kubica's Career and Potential

* Kubica was considered a highly rated driver before a rally crash in 2010 derailed his career.
* He was rumored to have been offered a potential seat at Ferrari alongside Fernando Alonso for 2011.
* Kubica had the ability to be a world champion, but his accident prevented him from reaching his full potential.

### The Wall of Champions

* The Wall of Champions is a section of the Montreal circuit where several champions have crashed.
* Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve all crashed there in 1999, giving it its name.
* Mika Hakkinen won that race, becoming the first driver to win a Grand Prix behind a safety car.

### The Closeness of the 2023 Field

* The 2023 Formula 1 season has seen an incredibly close field, with small margins separating the top teams.
* This has led to exciting qualifying sessions and races, with several drivers and teams in contention for victories.

### Technology in Formula 1

* Steve Slater believes that Formula 1 has become too focused on technology and aerodynamics.
* He argues that this has led to a decrease in overtaking and excitement on the track.
* He prefers the older era of Formula 1, where driver skill and car design were more important.

### The Sprint Format

* Steve Slater is not a fan of the sprint format, which was introduced in 2021.
* He believes that it is an artificial way to create excitement and does not add anything to the racing.
* He prefers the traditional Grand Prix format, which he believes is a better test of a driver's skills and endurance.

### Steve Slater's Favorite Circuits and Races

* Steve Slater's favorite circuits are Spa-Francorchamps and Monza.
* He also enjoys the Imola circuit, which he hopes will return to the Formula 1 calendar soon.
* His favorite race was the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix, where Felipe Massa thought he had won the championship before Lewis Hamilton overtook him on the last lap.

### Steve Slater's Relationship with Formula 1

* Steve Slater is proud of his time working in Formula 1 and introducing the sport to India.
* He still stays in touch with many of his former colleagues and friends from the paddock.
* He plans to visit Malaysia and Singapore later this year to reconnect with old friends.

### Nigel Mansell's Celebration Blooper

* In the 1991 Canadian Grand Prix, Nigel Mansell lost the race while leading due to a celebration blooper.
* He let the revs drop at the hairpin while waving to the crowd, causing his engine to stall.
* This allowed Nelson Piquet to overtake him and win the race. # Inside Line F1 Podcast: Steve Slater Recalls Memorable Canadian Grand Prix Moments

**Introduction:**

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Steve Slater, a renowned Formula One commentator, joins host Soumil Arora to share his insights and recollections of some of the most iconic Canadian Grand Prix races over the years.

**Memorable Canadian Grand Prix Moments:**

1. **1999 Canadian Grand Prix:**

- Mika Hakkinen became the first driver to win a race under the Safety Car.

2. **1991 Canadian Grand Prix:**

- Nigel Mansell lost the race with only half a lap to go due to a sudden loss of drive.

3. **2007 Canadian Grand Prix:**

- Robert Kubica suffered a horrific crash, but miraculously survived and returned to Formula One the following year.

4. **2008 Canadian Grand Prix:**

- Robert Kubica won his and BMW's first and only Formula One Grand Prix.
- Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen, and Nico Rosberg collided, ending their chances of victory.

5. **Other Bloopers:**

- Nelson Piquet's alternator failure in 1984, leading to a race victory for Nigel Mansell.
- Lewis Hamilton's pit lane collision with Kimi Räikkönen in 2008, resulting in a double retirement.

**Steve Slater's Predictions for the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix:**

- Predicts a Lewis Hamilton victory based on Mercedes' improving performance and Hamilton's determination.

**Conclusion:**

Steve Slater's anecdotes and insights provide a captivating glimpse into the history and excitement of the Canadian Grand Prix, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the upcoming race weekend.