The Unsportsmanlike Review of the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix

Lando Norris, the least likely driver to be unsportsmanlike was given a time penalty for being exactly that, unsportsmanlike. And for what? Driving slowly in the pits to hold up his rivals while Mclaren double-stacked their cars! Didn't we applaud drivers for their spatial awareness when they did this for years on end?

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah review the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen's dominant win, Fernando Alonso vs. Lewis Hamilton, Esteban Ocon's flexi-rear wing, Lance Stroll's gamer move into the pits, George Russell's wall-banging ways (spatial awareness, huh?) and more.

This episode is also packed with Oscar Piastri's Kimi Raikkonen moment, Yuki Tsunoda's attempt to 'be fast between the grass', Ferrari's great tyre strategy, of course and Alexander Albon's immaculate drive to 7th place. Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 30)

Follow our host on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mclaren

**Canadian Grand Prix Review**

* **Max Verstappen's Dominance:**

* Verstappen's victory in Canada marked his 10th win in the last 19 races, extending Red Bull's dominance.
* He became the fifth driver to win 100 races for a single constructor, joining an exclusive club that includes Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Alain Prost.
* Verstappen's consistent performance and ability to manage tire degradation were key factors in his success.

* **Sergio Perez's Struggles:**

* Sergio Perez continued to struggle, finishing nearly one second per lap slower than Verstappen.
* His qualifying performance was also disappointing, failing to make it into Q3.
* Perez's lack of pace has raised questions about his ability to challenge for the championship.

* **Epic Battles:**

* The Canadian Grand Prix featured several exciting battles throughout the field.
* Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton engaged in a thrilling duel, with Russell joining the fight later on.
* Alex Albon impressed with his defense against Russell and Magnussen, showcasing his skills in a midfield car.

* **Lando Norris' Unsportsmanlike Penalty:**

* Lando Norris received a three-place grid penalty for impeding other drivers in the pit lane.
* The penalty sparked debate about the definition of unsportsmanlike behavior in Formula 1.
* Some argued that Norris was simply using a loophole in the rules to gain an advantage, while others felt that his actions were unfair.

* **Esteban Ocon's Flexi Rear Wing:**

* Esteban Ocon's Alpine car featured a flexible rear wing, which generated downforce while braking but became stable under acceleration.
* The FIA deemed the wing legal after post-race scrutineering, but it raised questions about the legality of such designs.
* The incident highlighted the ongoing debate about the interpretation of the technical regulations in Formula 1.

* **Lance Stroll's Gamer Move:**

* Lance Stroll made a daring pit stop decision, gambling on a late pit stop to gain track position.
* The move paid off as Stroll emerged from the pits ahead of several other drivers.
* Stroll's aggressive strategy demonstrated his willingness to take risks in order to improve his race result.

* **George Russell's Wall-Banging Ways:**

* George Russell continued his trend of making contact with the walls, crashing out of the race in Canada.
* Russell's aggressive driving style has led to several accidents this season, raising concerns about his ability to maintain control of the car.
* The incident highlighted the importance of finding a balance between pushing the limits and avoiding costly mistakes.

* **Oscar Piastri's Kimi Raikkonen Moment:**

* Oscar Piastri made a mistake similar to Kimi Raikkonen's infamous "leave me alone" incident.
* Piastri ignored his team's instructions to let Albon pass, resulting in a loss of position.
* The incident served as a reminder of the importance of teamwork and following team orders in Formula 1.

* **Yuki Tsunoda's Attempt to 'Be Fast Between the Grass':**

* Yuki Tsunoda crashed during qualifying, attempting to push the limits of his car's capabilities.
* Tsunoda's eagerness to improve his performance led to a costly mistake, highlighting the fine line between pushing hard and making errors.

* **Ferrari's Great Tyre Strategy:**

* Ferrari's strategic decision to switch to hard tires early paid off, allowing Carlos Sainz to climb up the order and secure a podium finish.
* The team's ability to adapt to changing track conditions and make quick decisions contributed to their success.

* **Alexander Albon's Immaculate Drive to 7th Place:**

* Alexander Albon put in a remarkable performance, finishing in seventh place despite driving a Williams car.
* Albon's ability to extract the maximum from his car and hold off faster rivals showcased his talent and determination.
* The result marked a significant achievement for Williams, demonstrating their progress in the midfield. **Race Recap and Analysis:**

* Max Verstappen's dominance continued with a commanding victory in the Canadian Grand Prix, extending Red Bull's consecutive wins to nine races and putting them on track to break McLaren's record of 11 consecutive wins set in 1988.

* Fernando Alonso continued his impressive season with Aston Martin, securing his sixth podium finish and surpassing 100 points after eight races, his best start to a season under the current points system.

* Alex Albon delivered a stellar performance for Williams, completing over 50 laps on a single set of tires and securing P7, their best result in a full race since 2021.

* Lando Norris received a penalty for unsportsmanlike behavior, highlighting the importance of spatial awareness in Formula 1 racing.

**Ferrari's Improved Strategy:**

* Ferrari demonstrated improved strategy during the Canadian Grand Prix, employing cryptic terms to keep their plans concealed and successfully managing the race with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

* The team's decision to hold Leclerc back from attacking Sainz raised questions about their internal dynamics and whether it was a strategic move to protect Sainz's position.

**Lance Stroll's Gamer Move:**

* Lance Stroll entertained fans with his pit lane antics, replicating a move often seen in racing games where drivers push AI cars into the pit lane to slow them down.

* While Stroll's performance has been criticized, his contribution to the Aston Martin team's existence and his ability to entertain fans were acknowledged.

**Quotes and Notable Moments:**

* Oscar Piastri's Kimi Raikkonen-like moment in qualifying, where he crashed and then laughed it off, saying "I just did a Kimi Raikkonen there."

* Yuki Tsunoda's aim to "be fast between the grass" during the weekend, reminiscent of Raikkonen's famous quote.

* Nico Hulkenberg's humorous response to a question about his plan into Turn 1 with Max Verstappen, saying "I'm going for fame into Turn 1."

* Logan Sargeant's precise execution of the Williams pit wall's instruction to park his car next to a Marshall Spartan, resulting in a swift virtual safety car period.

**Conclusion:**

The Canadian Grand Prix provided exciting moments, strategic battles, and entertaining incidents, showcasing the ever-evolving nature of Formula 1 racing. As the season progresses, fans can anticipate more thrilling races and intriguing storylines.