Mercedes returned to their usual 2014-15 Formula One form with yet another 1-2 finish at the 2015 Canadian Grand Prix. Defending champion Lewis Hamilton grabbed the pole position and – much like this weekend’s Triple Crown winner American Pharoah – never looked back as he went wire to wire without much competition, even from teammate Nico Rosberg, who finished 2.2 seconds back. Finnish driver, Valtteri Bottas, driving for the Mercedes-powered Williams team, claimed Williams’ first podium finish of the year with a third place finish, but a whopping 40.6 seconds back.
Unlike the majority of races so far this year, there was very little drama in the first half of the race – no early retirements and no crashes – but the second half brought all the drama for the race. Ferrari driver and four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel, started the race in the 18th position after engine problems and a penalty in the first qualifying session, but after a poor first pit stop, came roaring back to claim fifth place overall. The Honda-McLaren team’s misfortunes continued as both cars were retired late in the race and the only car parts left on the Canadian track this year resulted when Lotus’ Romain Grosjean cut off the slower car of Will Stevens’ Manor-Marussia as they both attempted to enter pit lane – with Grosjean incurring a penalty for the move that chopped off a chunk of Stevens’ front wing. With Mercedes’ domination, only seven cars finished on the lead lap.
With the results, Hamilton widens his overall lead in the 2015 Formula One points standings with 151 points to Rosberg’s 134 points and Vettel still holding his iron grip on third with 108 points.
The 2015 Formula One season continues with the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg at 5 a.m. [PDT] on NBCSN on June 21, 2015.
2015 Canadian Grand Prix – 70 laps – 190 miles
1 Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
2 Nico Rosberg – Mercedes +2.2 seconds
3 Valtteri Bottas – Williams +40.6 seconds
4 Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari
5 Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
6 Felipe Massa – Williams
7 Pastor Maldonado – Lotus
8 Nico Hulkenberg – Force India
9 Daniil Kvyat – Red Bull
10 Romain Grosjean – Lotus
11 Sergio Perez – Force India
12 Carlos Sainz Jr. – Toro Rosso
13 Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull
14 Marcus Ericsson – Sauber
15 Max Verstappen – Toro Rosso
16 Felipe Nasr – Sauber
17 Will Stevens – Marussia
18 Roberto Merhi – Marussia
19 Jenson Button – McLaren
20 Fernando Alonso – McLaren