F1 Canada Quali

The F1 circus moves onward for the first time for a couple of years to Canada and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. I am sure we all remember the horrific accident to Robert Kubica when he hit the corner of the wall before Turn 9. 70 laps around this circuit will a challenge for all and tyre longevity is evidently already an issue before practice.

The question of team orders has been subject to huge discussion since the last grand prix since Sebastian & Mark came together putting Sebastian out and then to make it worse Jenson and Lewis nearly did the same thing. The management of Red Bull were less than impressed to lose a one, two and it almost certain the same thing applies at Mclaren albeit the drivers didn't come together.

Jake had pre-qualifying discussions with Ross Braun (Mercedes), Martin Whitmarsh (Mclaren) & Cristian Horner (Red Bull) they all made it clear there are no team orders and I suppose the issue between Sebastian and Mark personified that. However, we all heard Mclaren issuing a directive to Lewis to slow down to save fuel which then put Jenson on his tail.

This allowed Jenson to subsequently pass Lewis who went back past Jenson and they were very close. Then came the call to Jenson to also save fuel and things calmed down again. The issue of team orders will continue to rear hits ugly head as all the teams try to outwit the other.

With only nine tenths of a second between the top ten in the third practice session this will be a tight session which we will all enjoy. The track is very slick as they can't get the rubber down and as Martin Brundle confirmed they can't get within three seconds of the lap record.

Fernando was the first of the top runners to show his hand as he slotted in a 1.17.684 but then Lewis shot in a 1.16 followed by a high 1.15 and one wonders whether the Mclaren's are matching the Red Bull's at last.

So after Q1 we lost Kamui, Heikki, Jarno, Timo, Bruno, Lucas and Karun which is the expected result really. All cars got through the first twenty minutes without any accidents as the Montreal walls loom ever near.

Into Q2 and the times started tumbling into the mid 1.15's and the top ten are swapping around at the top albeit Lewis is still heading the field.

So we lost Rubens, Nico (H), Michael, Vitaly, Jamie and Pedro in Q2 as the top 10 were left to fight it out. So we were left with Lewis, Sebastian, Robert, Fernando, Nico, Mark, Felipe, Adrian, Jenson & Michael which is nicely mixed up with only two tenths between the top six as they fight for pole.

Losing Michael in Q2 is obviously a big blow for him for the first time this year and with Lewis two tenths ahead of Jenson, Lewis is currently on a role which is great to watch as Mclaren match the Red Bull's which is what we have waited for all season.

All cars have safely gone through Q1 and Q2 which bodes well for all of them for the race tomorrow. Lewis looks very comfortable in the car and it shows as he goes into Q3 but Jenson on the other hand does not look as comfortable and is making mistakes. Lewis was first in to the 1.15's with a 1.15.500 and he looks great out there in front some one second ahead of Jenson.

There is a mix on tyres for the first time this season as the Mclaren's are on the soft tyres whilst Red Bull are on the hard compound. Then Mark slotted into pole but with 7 seconds to go Lewis launched his Mclaren around the circuit and a fantastic drive to take pole position and put Red Bull off pole for once.

Petty he had to stop out on circuit after a call from the pits to stop as they hadn't enough fuel to get back into the pits and they wanted a fuel sample. The crowd then witnessed Lewis then pushing his Mclaren round the circuit which they found amusing.

The grid for tomorrow is interesting now with Lewis on pole followed by Mark, Sebastian, Fernando, Jenson, Vitantonio, Felipe, Robert, Adrian and Nico lower down than usual.

Great quali session and with safety cars and two tyre stops for the race we have interesting prospect for the race tomorrow.