2007 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
Montreal,
Fernando Alonso MP4-22 08
Lewis Hamilton MP4-22 01
T-car MP4-22 03
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the
Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal and took his maiden Formula
1 victory. After 70 laps with four Safety Car periods, Lewis
won 4.3 seconds ahead of Nick Heidfeld and Alexander Wurz.
Fernando Alonso ended up seventh following a 10 second stop-and-go
penalty. Both drivers were on two-stop strategies. Lewis came
in on laps 22 (9 seconds) and 48 (6 seconds) whilst Fernando
made his stops on laps 23 (7.8 seconds) and 53 (5.7 seconds).
Fernando set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1m16.367
on lap 46. In the Drivers' World Championship, Lewis took
the lead with 48 points ahead of Fernando with 40 points.
After six of the season's 17 races, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
heads the Constructors' table with 88 points ahead of Ferrari
on 60.
LEWIS HAMILTON
“I’m on another planet after this – I simply
can’t find the words to describe what it feels like
to win my first Formula 1 race. The team has done a fantastic
job and I’m so happy to be part of the Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes family. I made an OK start off the line – nothing
spectacular but managed to get a good exit out of the first
corner and whilst mayhem was happening around me I was able
to keep my cool and focus. Obviously I’m pleased that
my good friend Robert is OK after his accident. It seemed
like every time I opened up a bit of a gap the Safety Car
came out and I had to start all over again. It was only a
few laps from the end I realised that victory was within my
grasp and I started noticing things like the fans cheering
and when I crossed the finishing line it was amazing. I now
have to stay focused and keep up the good work. It’s
been an incredible start to my Formula 1 career so far but
I know there is a tough season ahead of us. Finally thanks
to the entire team at McLaren and Mercedes-Benz for all the
hard work they have put into the car – it’s an
absolute pleasure to drive and be part of such a winning combination.”
FERNANDO ALONSO
“I think this was a strange race with the Safety Car
being deployed so many times which worked to Lewis’
advantage today and my disadvantage. I came into the pits
for the first time on lap 24 as I had no more fuel so basically
there was nothing I could do. It was a shame as this resulted
in a ten second penalty but I guess that unfortunately those
are the rules but there was no alternative other than to stop
on track with no fuel. After that I had to push as hard as
possible because I was stuck in the middle of the field and
when you push to the maximum you sometimes go off track but
at that stage there was nothing to lose. Whilst it was a difficult
race for me I’m pleased for the team and Lewis that
we were able to secure some important points and Lewis winning
his first race and also that Robert is OK. I hope for a bit
more luck for the US Grand Prix next week and at least I can
leave Montreal with two points more than Massa.”
RON DENNIS
“The whole team worked so hard to achieve the optimum
result today. The frustration and disappointment of receiving
a stop-and-go penalty having been forced to stop in the pitlane
when the pitlane was closed in the first safety car period
was obviously immense. However this in no way should detract
from a mature and disciplined drive by Lewis to claim his
first Grand Prix win. His family should be justifiably proud
of his achievement and whatever McLaren and Mercedes-Benz
have contributed only compliments his talent and commitment.
Fernando was truly unlucky today but there is still a long
way to go in the World Championship and we appear to be extremely
competitive. The entire team is obviously delighted that Robert
Kubica is OK.”
NORBERT HAUG
“Lewis took his first Grand Prix victory in his sixth
Formula 1 race. He did the best job of all and kept cool throughout.
Congratulations and compliments to him. Fernando fell to the
new Safety Car rules and received a stop-and-go penalty because
he had to refuel as the pits were still closed during the
first safety car phase, but when the tank is empty you have
no other choice than to come in. He posted the fastest lap
of race and was a contender for the podium, but at least he
achieved a couple of points under difficult circumstances.
We have won three out of the six races and finished all the
race laps with both cars so far this year and are the only
team to have finished every race in the points. Thank you
to everybody in the team for their great efforts to make this
possible. We now look forward to the US Grand Prix in Indianapolis
in one weeks time. The most important news today is that Robert
Kubica is OK after his horrifying accident.”
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