Canada 2010

As per many expected then McLaren maxed themselves in Montreal with a well played strategy that seemingly utilised poor Red Bull tactics. The gamble taken by Red Bull in qualifying was to risk there being no safety car at the start, which of course worked for them, to enable them to start on the harder, more durable tyre. This was all playing nicely when after the pitstops for those gambling on a safety car, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber lead the field.
This was however the big mistake, perhaps Christian Horner, the Red Bull boss, was enjoying the race a little too much, and after all who can blame him it would have had even Bernie salivating for more (I use rather toned down language to that during the excitement itself, not really publishable). This was to not spot for far too many laps that those who had got the soft tyre phase out the way were actually lapping far faster and left me, a Red Bull fan, rather tearing my hair out!
All of Christian, Sebastian and Mark claimed after the race the midfield, the likes of Rubens Barrichello, Nico Hulkenburg, Adrian Sutil etc, jumped out of the way of the front guys, although I believe this to be a cover up, and a rather pathetic one at that!! All that was left for Sebastian to be happy about was taunting Mark over the Socceroos dismal display and all us English writing off the Germans to our peril........once again.
The race then just ran rather processional at the front give for a few tenths here and there. Apart of course from both using backmarkers to pass Fernando Alonso, who was justifiably bugged in the post-race press conference, particularly with the move by Jenson, believing he could have won the race. I have plenty of thoughts on Fernando as to all his mistakes this year, Spanish media pressure to win the title etc, but that's another issue. So well done to Lewis and Jenson and this 5 horse title race is hotting up nicely.
The main action I believe revolved around a certain Herr Schumacher, who due to escaping penalty means next time someone has a go at me on a racetrack I shall reply, 'Well I only learn from the best!' His driving with Robert Kubica, Felipe Massa and to an extent both Force India's as well was even from a generous point of view very bad and if I was Emerson Fittipaldi, the ex-driver steward, I'd have awarded a 10-place grid drop for Valencia at least. Not his best qualifying either with 13th not exactly the reason he returned to Formula 1. I think this could be a one-off for Schumi so watch this space!
Lastly on the action itself, is to, painfully for me to say being a fan of Vitaly Petrov, congratulate Lotus on beating an established rival. This, as a Petrov fan, I must point out was due to Petrov having not only to replace his front wing due to his spin at the start, but getting 2 drive throughs and still being right on Heikki Kovalainen's tail come the final reckoning. So this praise is a little premature, but still they nearly got Kamui Kobayashi in qualifying and Heikki is seemingly enjoying being a little more removed from the media spotlight and is thriving.
One final thought regards Mark Webber's gearbox change, was it really necessary, or a cheeky move by Red Bull to get their favoured young German anther place forward? As much as Christian Horner denied it after the race, he's clearly never going to admit it, and it certainly looks highly suspicious to me.
Roll on Valencia!!