Yahoo Autos Postcard from F1 Canadian Grand Prix: What You May Have Missed
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below."
Formula 1 touched down in Montreal for the first time in three years and off-track there were plenty of talking points, and intrigue, despite Max Verstappen running away with matters on it.
Formula 1 Back in Canada
Formula 1 returned to Canada for the first time since 2019, following the two-year hiatus enforced by the pandemic. As with cities such as Melbourne and Austin, Montreal fully embraces Formula 1, with a lively atmosphere throughout the weekend downtown, especially along Rue Crescent and Rue Sainte-Catherine, despite the best efforts of the weather to intervene.
An estimated 338,000 spectators filed through the gates on the man-made Ile Notre Dame throughout the course of the four-day event. The event, which holds a contract through 2031, remains one of Formula 1’s best all-round Grands Prix.
Hamilton’s Goes Full on 1990s
Lewis Hamilton was a child of the 90s, when video gaming was in its infancy, compared to the sophisticated technology that is now available. Upon arriving in Montreal, Hamilton took a trip to a store in downtown Montreal and got something a little old school set up for the weekend.
“I just had this itch to play old games,” said Hamilton. “I've just recently found an old Nintendo 64 in my storage. And then I went and got Golden Eye. And then when I landed I went to get Mario Kart, but they didn't have the Nintendo 64. So I bought a Sega Genesis, and then they had the Senna game there. So I was like, ‘Oh, this is perfect’. So I've been spending the last couple of nights driving the Senna game, but I’m not that quick on it.”
The game Hamilton is referring to is Ayrton Senna’s Super Monaco GP II, which was released in July 1992. The game is also available free of charge on PC so after being influenced by Hamilton several journalists got a little addicted during Friday practice…
F1 Working on South Africa for 2023
Formula 1 chiefs are continuing discussions over the return of South Africa to the calendar after a three-decade absence. South Africa last hosted Formula 1 in 1993 and Stefano Domenicali last week traveled to Kyalami straight from Baku to pick up talks with race promoters.
Securing a spot for South Africa would give Formula 1 a presence on every habitable continent. With the return of Qatar, debut of Las Vegas and prospective comeback of China that would leave 26 Grands Prix, which is two over the contractual limit of 24.
Consequently two Grands Prix from the schedule would need to be removed, with France, Monaco and Belgium the most at-risk events. China remaining out of bounds again for 2023 could hand one a lifeline but Formula 1 may instead run 23 grands prix, rather than hit its limit of 24, meaning two would still drop. At current thinking only one of Monaco, France or Belgium will be on the 2023 schedule.
F1’s Villeneuve Tribute
2022 marks 40 years since Canadian icon Gilles Villeneuve was killed during a crash in Formula 1 qualifying at Belgian circuit Zolder.
The semi-permanent facility in Montreal was named after Villeneuve in the aftermath while the "Salut Gilles" signature has always been inscribed across the start/finish line. Prior to the race on Sunday the grid slots of the Ferrari drivers were painted red, with an inscription to remember Canada’s fallen racer.
Villeneuve’s son Jacques, the 1997 World Champion, was present in the paddock throughout the weekend and also handed over the Pole Position Trophy to current champion Max Verstappen, who was just four weeks old when Villeneuve claimed his world title.
