NewsOnF1 - The Real Race - Round 8

That’s the lead-in I was prepared to write, but hoped I wouldn’t have to. Juan Pablo’s place on the real race podium gives me some hope that Michelin and Montoya can take the fight to the red cars. Make no mistake about it though, no one else will. Daylight was a very comfortable 5th today.

The real joy of today’s session was the tyres. For the first time this season we have seen a truly level playing field. Bridgestone and Michelin runners are spread evenly and nobody had a significant advantage.

There were a few surprises today, including Montoya’s valiant effort. The drivers who have established supremacy in the first half of the season generally maintained their dominance. Webber shone, but we have come to almost expect that. Frentzen disappointed but after his pace during practice I have to believe there was a problem. Eddie and Jacques finally decided to have a go and Nick and Jarno kept their upper hands. Fisichella triumphed and Ralf and David … well, Ralf and David didn’t.

The Canadian GP 'Also Ran' Award.

Decisions decisions. So many worthy candidates, so few Also Rans. Ralf almost made it, perhaps he deliberately slowed down just to get another gong but he’ll have to do better than today. He is however almost guaranteed future awards the way he’s driving.

Alex, well Alex is at least consistent and that has to count for something so we’ll pass on him as well. Plus, I'd hate to have him get upset and take his ATM card off Paul Stoddard, the team needs the cash.

For the second time this season we have a two times winner. Only one driver out there today managed to combine the arrogance required to say before the real race that “... I know I can drive quicker around here than anyone else” with the stupidity required to say it out loud before going out and getting convincingly out-driven by an inexperienced kid, who’s been to Montreal only once before. David Coulthard, you were a fairly quick driver but your days are numbered, a real talent sits in the other McLaren and your awards from here on out are more likely to be the huge collection of Also Rans you will undoubtedly gather than garlands achieved for winning Real Races.

The Canadian GP Qualifying Heroes

1. Mark Webber, 2. Giancarlo Fisichella, 3. Nick Heidfeld

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The Real Race - Drivers Standings - Round 8

Grid	Driver	Car	Team	Wins	Losses	Best	QualiPoints
1	JP. Montoya	6	BMW WilliamsF1 (M)	4	4	1	46
2	M. Schumacher	1	Ferrari (B)	6	2	1	56
3	R. Barrichello	2	Ferrari (B)	2	6	1	42
4	R. Schumacher	5	BMW WilliamsF1 (M)	4	4	2	31
5	K. Raikkonen	4	McLaren Mercedes (M)	5	3	5	14
6	G. Fisichella	9	Jordan Honda (B)	7	1	6	1
7	N. Heidfeld	7	Sauber Petronas (B)	6	2	5	2
8	D. Coulthard	3	McLaren Mercedes (M)	3	5	2	14
9	J. Villeneuve	11	BAR Honda (B)	5	3	9
10	J. Trulli	14	Renault (M)	5	3	6	1
11	O. Panis	12	BAR Honda (B)	3	5	9
12	F. Massa	8	Sauber Petronas (B)	2	6	7
13	J. Button	15	Renault (M)	3	5	6	1
14	E. Irvine	16	Jaguar Cosworth (M)	4	4	13
15	T. Sato	10	Jordan Honda (B)	1	7	14
16	P. de la Rosa	17	Jaguar Cosworth (M)	4	4	11
17	E. Bernoldi	21	Arrows Cosworth (B)	1	7	12
18	M. Salo	24	Toyota (M)	8	0	9
19	H. Frentzen	20	Arrows Cosworth (B)	7	1	10
20	A. McNish	25	Toyota (M)	0	8	10
21	M. Webber	23	Minardi Asiatech (M)	8	0	18
22	A. Yoong	22	Minardi Asiatech (M)	0	8	21

QualiPoints are awarded in the same way points are awarded to the top 6 drivers in a race. (i.e. 10, 6, 4, 3, 2,1)

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