| ATLAS F1 Volume 6, Issue 25 | |||
| The 2000 Canadian GP: A Fan's Perspective | |||
| Words by Kevin Thomson; Photographs by Andrew Thomson | |||
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The Canadian Grand Prix is renowned for having one of the best atmospheres on the F1 calendar. Brothers Kevin and Andrew Thomson confirm the reputation, and bring a fan's perspective to the event via words and images of the past weekend
It was with great anticipation that we awaited the 2000 Canadian Grand Prix; each year this event gives us the unique excuse to derelict our other earthly duties in the pursuit of Formula One Racing. In fact, for these three days my wife has come to refer to herself as an "F1 widow".
As we approached the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve by metro, we knew it would not be long until the roar of straining V10s would be filling our ears. Each year the Montreal transit authority ferries up to 70% of the total crowd to the site. We were fortunate this year that a transit strike, which would have created bedlam, was averted at the eleventh hour.
The circuit itself is unique on the F1 calendar. This part temporary, part permanent course is situated on a man-made island in the centre of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Urban legend has it the Isle Notre Dame was constructed from fill extracted to create the city's subway system, in the 1960's and 70's. The site looks over the former site of Expo 67, with its hallmark geodesic dome. Access from the circuit to the city's urban core is a single subway stop away.
We have come to favour seats at Grandstand 24, overlooking the eastern hairpin. This is the single biggest grandstand on the course and over 11,000 people seated there contribute to a party atmosphere. In fact, the four grandstands surrounding this corner must house upwards of 25,000 people. The stands are configured to create a virtual stadium. On Saturday and Sunday, fans were often incited to participate in a human wave that circled the complex. While I have by no means visited every course on the F1 calendar, I theorise that the vantage point afforded at the Montreal hairpin is among the very best. In my lone visit to a Silverstone practice session, I was amazed by how far away the cars are in comparison.
At l'epingle, the cars approach at nearly 300 km/h, downshifting 4 or 5 times to take the corner in first at 55 km/h. The corner is a natural overtaking point. As they accelerate out of the corner, they upshift to top gear in their run down the single longest straight on the course. I conjecture that the relative slowness of the cars at the apex allows for safely placing the stands so close at this corner.
Over the years that we have attended the race, several drivers have lost a session by outbraking themselves and burying the car in the large gravel run-off area at this corner. In the last two years alone both Irvine and Hakkinen suffered this fate. This situation probably was the catalyst for a profound change that was made for this year's race. It seems that Shell Oil has funded a large new section of tarmac that now extends into what was the gravel trap. While Shell undoubtedly received value for its advertising dollar, the effect on racing was to severely reduce the risk of being beached at this corner. Not a single car was hung up all weekend.
The F1 free practice and qualifying sessions were incident-free at the hairpin. With bright sun and warm temperatures, Friday and Saturday were glorious days to spend at the track. Our enjoyment of the qualifying session was marred by the fact that our big screen "jumbotron" was malfunctioning. As a result, we resolved to write Bernie for a partial refund! The undercard races however did provide some moments of enjoyment. Formula 1600, the Toyota Atlantic series and the Ferrari Challenge all were part of the weekend's festivities. Most intriguing was the new Beetle Cup, a series for these "happy faces on wheels," outfitted with VR6 engines. A celebrity race featuring these cars boasted a field including former F1 stars Jacques Laffite and Rene Arnoux.
On Saturday night we partook in the Grand Prix nightlife of downtown Montreal. Crescent Street had been cordoned off for partyers who grooved to a Beatles cover band. Fast cars of all descriptions - Ferraris, Porsches, Aston Martins, BMWs, Alfa Romeos - were parked on display on many of the city streets. Perhaps fastest of all were the BAR show car on Crescent Street and the BMW Williams on Peel. While strolling down Sherbrooke Street we were treated to the shock of the weekend. Could it be? Yes, it was Heinz Harald Frentzen and his girlfriend on their way to dinner. Being polite Canadians we respected their privacy. This decision was reinforced by the fact that the only scrap of paper we had to bear an autograph was a Jacques Villeneuve placard, picked up at the Teleglobe booth!
Race day was also fraught with surprises. The Shell insignia had to be repainted, so it would be pristine for the telecast. We couldn't help but think that fresh paint would not help adhesion.
At the race start, a nation held its breath when Villeneuve rocketed to third place. However, it was obvious to all that he was holding up traffic while running as high as second, after Coulthard's penalty. When the weather changed, a poor tire selection undermined Jacques' race, but not his racing spirit. His two passes of Coulthard at the hairpin were desperate at worst and optimistic at best. I can understand the reasoning that says a DNF is equal to a tenth place finish, but this doesn't justify claiming the injured Ralf Schumacher as collateral damage.
I am proud to note that very few fans fled our section as things got wet. This, despite the fact that surprisingly few were adequately prepared. At race end, the track was opened to fans, who were encouraged to roam freely. Since this was a new policy (at least in recent years) we could not miss the opportunity to see the infamous Bienvenue au Quebec chicane and stroll down to the pits. Alas, the teams had wasted no time in packing up. It would be a mere matter of hours before the Formula One circus would be departing for the next event on the calendar. As for us, we'll just wait until next year.
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| Kevin Thomson kthomson@intersekt.net | © 2000 Kaizar.Com, Incorporated. |
| Andrew Thomson andrewt@vistek.net | Terms & Conditions |