‘s F1 expert Jukka Mildh says overtaking with new F1 cars is extremely challenging without or with an openable rear wing. According to Mildh, Max Verstappen proved his superiority in Montreal.
Formula One was driven over the weekend in Montreal, Canada after a break of more than three years.
Dutch Max Verstappen grabbed his sixth win of the season when he managed to keep a well-driven Spain Carlos Sainzin behind him to the end. Third, for the second time this season, reached the British Lewis Hamilton.
Finland Valtteri Bottas drove a good race and crossed the finish line in eighth. Hispanic Fernando Alonso got a five-second time penalty after the race, making Bottas seventh.
Alonso, on the other hand, dropped to ninth, as did Bottas’ teammate Zhou Guanyu rose past him.
Sports F1 expert Jukka Mildh analyzes the most talked about events of the Canadian race weekend.
Where did the race go?
The race was colored by interruptions. First a Mexican Sergio Perezin the gearbox betrayed and a moment later the German Mick Schumacher drove his car aside. The yellow flag waved both times, but driving continued with the virtual safety car.
Japan Yuki Tsunoda drove on the 49th round to the depot, from which he collided directly with the railway track. This time a safety car came on the track, followed by six laps.
The race got a repeat start when there were only 15 laps left in the race.
According to expert Mildh, the safety car significantly changed the tension in the race. Without it, the competition would have been “a little boring,” he says.
When the safety car was on the track, Sainz, who was at the forefront, went to visit the depot. Ferrari’s depot stop was quick, but during that time Verstappen took the lead. He then held Sainz behind him.
– The competition decided that the Red Bull (Verstappen) car is simply really strong and fast on straight lines. The car was clearly able to match the speed of a Ferrari (Sainz) – even without a retractable rear wing.
According to Mildh, Verstappen proved to be the number one driver at the moment.
– Verstappen drove very intelligently and took advantage of the speed of his car, despite the fact that the Sainz behind was pushing with the opening wing.
– In addition, Sainz ran a very strong race and acknowledged many of his failures in the early part of the season.
What are we talking about?
Mildh believes the openable rear wing speaks to the F1 people. According to him, the car ahead can be tracked better than before, but there are still no overtakes.
– With these new cars, overtaking is almost impossible without a retractable rear wing. Actually just Charles Leclercin (51st round) bypass Esteban Oconista there on the “hairpin” was the only more traditional bypass.
The “Hairpin” is a tight tenth bend of the Montreal track. In the graphic below, it appears at the top of the track.
Mildh estimates that the Montreal track is not really suitable for the new concept cars. In the future, we will have to consider what kind of solutions we will have to make for the Canadian race.
What about Bottas?
The safety car that hit the track with the Tsunoda collision was also the rescue of Valtteri Bottas.
Bottas had driven the entire race on the same tires until he got to the depot on lap 50 as the safety car slowed the race.
– It felt like maybe for the first time in my life the safety car came at the right time. It was really useful, Bottas said in an interview with Viaplay.
Mildh says Bottas hasn’t had the chance to come back during the F1 years. Bottas drove a pretty good race, but the timing of the safety car was perfect, Mildh notes.
– As he himself said after the race, the team has had a hard time in previous races. Now, however, things went well while Bottas ’teammate (Zhou) improves his ride.
However, according to Mildh, Alfa Romeo has come down after a promising start to the season. Before the next race weekend, the speed of Bottas’ car should be restored – and the operation of the stable should be further developed. The main problems in the stable come out through small details, Mildh notes.
– For example, the last time trial of Bottas in Canada was timed incorrectly. The track had time to dry during the time trial, but Bottas did not make it to the final lap from good positions.
Surprise
Mildh says the significant increase in alpine speed will still surprise her. He believes the team will be a perky addition for the rest of the season if it is able to mix race setups at this point throughout.
– In the difficult conditions of time trials, Alpine suddenly succeeded. It must be remembered, of course, that the stable is on the move with very significant resources, backed by strong support from Renault.
In time, Alpine Spanish driver Fernando Alonso was surprised in the rainy weather when he rose to the front row for the first time since the 2012 starting grid.
– In addition, it was a really tough thing for the sport and it was noticed by the reactions of the Canadian audience.
According to Mild, Zhou can also be considered a surprise for the Canadian race weekend. Now that the car is running, Zhou has gotten off to a good start.
– He is a respected driver in the stable, and he has not been chosen in vain, although many have talked about high risk. There is a lot of potential in Zhous that the general public may not have noticed yet.
Mildh believes Bottas and Zhou can take their team forward together.
Nine of the 22 races have now been run through F1. The next F1 races will take place from 1 to 3. July in Silverstone, UK.