2006 Canadian Grand Prix - Race Report
A first-lap collision between Tiago Monteiro and Christijan
Albers capped off a disappointing weekend for MF1 Racing at
the Canadian Grand Prix.
The incident, which took place at the hairpin at the end
of the back straight, involved Monteiro hitting the back of
his teammate's car, effectively ending both drivers' races.
Albers' M16 was too damaged to continue and abandoned by the
side of the track. And although Monteiro was able to nurse
his vehicle back to the pits for a new front wing, he immediately
found himself a lap down and struggled with poor handling
for the remainder of the race, eventually finishing 4 laps
down in 14th position.
The team hopes for better fortune next weekend as it packs
up and heads to the U.S. for Round 10 of the FIA Formula 1
World Championship at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Tiago Monteiro (POR), Car #18
(Chassis: M16-04)
Starting Position: 17th
Classification: 14th, 66 laps completed (+4 laps)
Fastest Lap: 1:19.291 at 13:13:16, 18th overall (+3.450 from
fastest lap of the race)
Quote: "First of all, I have to apologise
to my team for my mistake at the start of the race. I was
on the inside portion of the track, on the dirty part, and
I locked my rear wheels. I lost control of my car and hit
my teammate, so I'm very annoyed with myself and sorry about
that. After that, we changed what we could on the car - obviously,
it wasn't in the best condition - and we brought the car home
in 14th. We took a big risk on the strategy - Christijan and
I were on different strategies - and although mine didn't
pay off, we needed to try it. Our soft tyres weren't ideal
for the track conditions, and it was really tough race. There
were lots of marbles in the corners and the car was very difficult
to drive. But we managed another finish, which is really the
only positive thing we can take away today. I hope that next
week, in Indy, we can have a fraction of the success that
we enjoyed last year."
Christijan Albers (NED), Car #19
(Chassis: M16-02)
Starting Position: 18th
Classification: DNF, 0 laps completed
Fastest Lap: N/A
Quote: "It was a shame to be out so
early, because I think our race pace could have been really
strong - better than our qualifying, that's for sure. I had
a reasonable start and was able to pick up a few positions,
overtaking Montagny and Monteiro after the first few corners.
I was fighting with Sato for position and then, when I arrived
at Corner 10, I don't know what happened. I just felt something
hit me from behind, I spun, and then I saw it was Tiago. Our
wheels were interlocked, and it was game over for me, because
the right side of my car was destroyed. I think it's quite
obvious what happened, so let's leave it at that and move
on."
Colin Kolles, Managing Director: "It was not a very enjoyable
race for us, because it was finished before the end of the
first lap. So, unfortunately, we just had to endure the rest
of it and do our best to bring the remaining car home. As
far as we're concerned, the shunt was a racing incident and
we've already dealt with it and put it behind us. Now, we
must concentrate on doing a better job in Indianapolis."
James Key, Technical Director: "A very
disappointing afternoon, to be sure. We had an unfortunate
shunt at the beginning of the race, which didn't really allow
us to continue with any sort of competitive pace or challenge
for position, as Tiago's car was very damaged and lost a lot
of downforce as a result. We had him on a long strategy to
try to take advantage of safety cars or improving track conditions,
but being down a lap right at the start made that impossible.
We need to sort out a number of issues for Indianapolis, because
these types of incidents really don't do us any favours."
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