Sunday June 12th, 2011: Canadian Grand Prix (Not Your Typical Race Review....)

Seems like a strange way to start a race report, but the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix was unique by it's self.  So today we begin with a bit of a lesson in Canadian wildlife...

This is a gopher. Well known to the Formula One Paddock as a weapon of assault on track to any driver not paying attention to the track surface. The gopher is gray, buff, or dark brown. Its combined head and body length is 5 to 12 in. (depending on the species) and its tail is short.

This is a beaver.  The beaver is dark brown. It has a tail that looks like a paddle. A typical beaver can weigh about 30-60 pounds and are 2-3 feet long, not including their tail. These large rodents move with an ungainly waddle on land and are nocturnal. The beaver is also Canada's national animal (not the moose).

This is a Red-Winged Blackbird.  Many of us here do like the new name that has been christened upon the bird, the MVR bird.  With a two hour delay in what has been called one of the best races in Formula One's recent history, this little guy stole the spot light. Forget about the lake forming at T2, or the view of the 'shop-vacs' trying to keep up with the rain.  The MVR bird made it's way onto the Twitter Trend list!

The 2011 Grand Prix du Canada not only excited fans but also made it's way into the Formula One Records book.  It now holds the most Safety Car deployments (six) in one race WITH a red flag.  No one would expect a land known for snow and blizzards could produce such a torrential downpour.  The moment the 10 minute time was released, the excitement picked up.

Like an electric current passing through the rain, fans sat back down as the driver's made their way back to the car.  Anyone that had watched Montreal prior in the rain, knew that we were in for a treat.  It wasn't just the 'Wall Of Champions' that Montreal is famous for, it is also the slick circuit after a rain.

Rain at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit is like rain no where else.  After the downpour, water could still fall with nearly half the course being covered with trees.  It shows you what the drivers are truly capable of. It essentially splits the field in half, those who can and those who cannot.

The rain on Sunday was like a renewal and the person that all eyes were on was the 'Red Baron', Michael Schumacher.

It didn't matter if you love him, or loved to hate him, you found yourself cheering for him.  The baron was back.  On a track that was claiming such drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, Schumacher took the opportunity to remind the world that he still had it.  Taking the wet track at three abreast and taking away the front position.  It made believers out of all of us.

The one thing that the 2011 Grand Prix du Canada reminded us is that the race isn't over, until it's over!  Sound's like an oxymoron but very true.  Watching the race, the final few laps, you could see the immense pressure that the driver where under.  All it would take was one little mistake and the driver could lose their position or worse, go into the barriers.

Watching the final lap from the edge of the couch, you could see the stress be put on Vettel from Button.  With two corners left, the German ever so slightly left the dry racing line and you could hear the cheers from the McLaren garage. Yes, they were that loud!

Jenson Button, second to last corner, shot past a skidding Sebastian Vettel to pick up his first win in the 2011 season.

But if you think that was cutting it close, watch this!

Have you ever before seen a drag race on the final straight to the checkered flag?  Massa and Kobayashi on one final sprint for 6 / 7 position. The difference between 6 and 8 championship points.

By far, the forgotten driver's of the day would have to be Jamie Alguersuari. Taking a chapter from big brother's book (Red Bull's Mark Webber). We watched as Alguesuari started the race from the pits, 6 safety car deployments and one red flag later, ended his race in 8th position. 

As well as Hispania Racing's Vitantonio Liuzzi. Started the season off being disqualified in Australia under the 107% Grid Rule and finish his race here in Canada in 13th, yes 13th position.