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Canadian Grand Prix - Race Report

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Banner: 2008 Canadian Race Report
Circuit | Race Briefing | Race Report | Results | Photos

 

Massa takes valuable points in Montreal whilst Räikkönen leaves empty-handed

Image: Felipe Massa during the Canadian Grand Prix

Robert Kubica BMW Sauber Winner - 1:36:24.447
Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 2nd - +16.4 secs
David Coulthard Red Bull Racing 3rd - +23.3 secs

Felipe Massa Scuderia Ferrari 5th - +43.9 secs
Kimi Räikkönen Scuderia Ferrari Retired

New faces graced the Formula One podium ceremony at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, as Robert Kubica took his maiden victory and in doing so handed BMW Sauber their first ever win. His team mate Nick Heidfeld, brought the car home in second position also adding the first one-two victory to BMW Sauber's statistics book.

Traditionally a Grand Prix with a high attrition rate, this year's action at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve stayed true to form. Kimi Räikkönen was one of the unlucky drivers not to finish the race, after the McLaren-Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton crashed into the rear of his Ferrari at the pit lane exit. Whilst both the Ferrari and the McLaren were forced to retire, Felipe Massa drove his F2008 through the 70 laps to fifth position.

After the race, Lisa Lilley, Shell Technology Manager for Ferrari had this to say: "What may not have come across on TV is that it's been hot and windy here in Montreal and dust has been blowing across the track. It is hot weather and dust in the air which lead to higher running temperatures in the car and this is what the Shell lubricant package has helped protect the Ferrari gearbox and engine against here in Montreal, whilst still maintaining a strong performance level."

The Canadian Grand Prix has shaken up the leader board; Kubica now takes the reins of the FIA Formula One Drivers' World Championship with 42 points. Hamilton's retirement combined with Massa's four points ties them on 38, three points ahead of Räikkönen.

Scuderia Ferrari maintains the lead of the FIA Formula One Constructors' World Championship on 73 points. BMW Sauber's maximum points' win from this weekend moves them up into second position on 70. McLaren-Mercedes slips into third place.

It's now back to Europe and onto Magny-Cours for the French Grand Prix on 22 June.

 

Selected comments from Scuderia Ferrari after the race:

Image: Felipe Massa

Stefano Domenicali:
"There is much for us to regret about the outcome of this race. We saw one of our drivers retire because he was hit when stopped at the exit of the pit lane in front of the red light. It was a serious mistake from Hamilton and I think the penalty imposed by the FIA is in line with it, even if it does not restore what was a lost opportunity for us. In fact, Kimi was in an excellent position to fight for the win, partly thanks to a car which showed it was running at a great pace. Felipe drove an exceptional race. Unfortunately, we had a problem with the refuelling rig when he made a pit stop during the safety car period - a joint in the fuel line broke and no fuel went in - and we had to call him in next time round for a further stop that dropped him to the back of the field. Felipe did not lose heart and produced a great climb up the order which ended up with him finishing fifth. These are very important points which today allow us to maintain our lead in the Constructors' Championship. I spoke earlier of regret, but I would add that it is today's disappointment that actually strengthens our desire to fight back. We know there is still a long season ahead of us up against very strong opponents and so we say congratulations to BMW and Kubica for their first victory, but we are also aware of our own strengths that are a match for anyone."

Felipe Massa:
"It's hard to express my feelings after a race like this. On the one hand, I am disappointed because, without my refuelling problem, I could have been fighting for a place on the podium. On the other hand, I am happy to have brought home four points at the end of a very difficult race run on a track surface that was in really poor condition. Once I found myself at the back, I tried to climb back up again, but in the end, when I was behind Glock, I could not get past him and also I didn't want to run the risk of ending up off the track after all the trouble I'd been to to get that far. I would like to congratulate Kubica and BMW: they worked really well and deserved this success. They are very strong, but I think we are working in the right direction, as could be seen from our performance level every day here."

Kimi Räikkönen:
"There's not much I can say. My race was ruined by Hamilton's mistake. Obviously, anyone can make mistakes, as I did two weeks ago in Monaco, but it's one thing to make a mistake at two hundred per hour but another to hit a car stopped at a red light. I am not angry because that doesn't achieve anything and does not change my result! I am unhappy, because I had a great chance of winning. Once the graining had gone from the tyres, the car was going very well. I have failed to score in these last two races and now it's time to start winning again. There is still a long way to go in the championship and it is still very close and we have everything we need to regain the ground we have lost."

Luca Baldisserri:
"I don't want to comment on the collision that involved Kimi: I would just say that, through no fault of our own, we lost a great chance of winning. I would prefer to pay a great compliment to Felipe, who drove a fantastic race after the problem we had at his first refuelling stop. Dropped to the back of the pack, he managed to climb his way up the order to finish fifth, pulling off some very nice passing moves and showing what he is made of and what the F2008 can do. Kimi also, after an early waiting phase brought on by a bit of graining on his tyres, had begun to lap at a great pace, which saw him set the fastest race lap. Compared to how these last two races went last year, we have definitely made a real step forward in performance terms, but for various reasons, we have not picked up the results that were within our grasp. Now we must immediately turn this bad sequence around and get back to our usual standards."

 

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