Canada GP Sprint Report

What was all the chat about before the Sprint race?  Tyres?  Engines?  Wet weather?  No!  Groundhogs.  The one Albon ran into during practice (that meant he missed Sprint Qualifying) had the consequence that he was starting in the pit lane alongside Bottas, Bearman and Gasly.  Stroll's suspension failed on the way to the grid so it looked like he would not be crashing into anyone during the Sprint but he was able to get going from the pit lane.

The Mercedes actually made good starts and went off in formation.  Behind them there was more action.  Hamilton was able to get past Piastri.  The Audis had an awful start, both cars dropping back several places in the melee.  

On Lap six, the Mercedes decided to go racing.  Initially I thought they had been told to hold places because Antonelli looked like he was deliberately staying back.  As they kept going, with Antonelli trying everything to get past, he went off twice and the second time Russell was even more aggressive in asserting his position and it was a bigger off.  Antonelli consequently lost a place to Norris and was pounced upon by Hamilton.  As Kimi complained on the radio, the team told him to "keep it cool" asking him not to draw attention to the team from the stewards.  Team Principal Toto Wolff put his foot down and told him to stop the "radio moaning".

Hadjar complained of engine problems and was then retired by Red Bull on Lap nine.  The mechanics worked some wizardry over one lap and sent him out again.  

On the final lap, the drivers pulled out all the stops to try and make up some places.  Antonelli went too far and went off across a grassy corner again as he tried to get past Norris.  Piastri got past Hamilton and the shock of it meant that Leclerc snuck through too.

The top eight for points were Russell, Norris, Antonelli, Piastri, Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen and Linblad with Colapinto and Sainz in the top ten but gaining no points.  Perez was eleventh for Cadillac, their highest finish yet.  Wolff came back on the radio to stop Antonelli criticising the team publicly.

The Mercedes team mates had the briefest of handshakes once they got out of their cars before Russell went for a chat with Norris.  Jean Alesi tried to gee up Kimi but failed.  

It bodes well for an interesting race with the Mercedes battle hotting up but another of other drivers hot on their heels behind and keen to scoop up the points.

Other notes: Lando has started growing his moustache ready for November.  Alesi looks like he's trying for a position with FIFA.