iWitness in Canada: Sunday

Posted on Monday 13 Jun 2011 and tagged with iwitness, canada.

Gamblers, who happen to be Jenson Button fans, would have made a killing in today’s race. The McLaren star was 14:1 to win, which, given his current form and the unpredictable nature of the Canadian Grand Prix seemed very generous. Unfortunately, the person in the F1 paddock who took this bet also gambled that there would be 16 finishers or less… there were 18. Net profit: zilch.

Today’s rain had the statisticians diving for their crib sheets. It was the first genuinely wet race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve since 1989, when Theirry Boutsen won for Williams. However, Rubens Barrichello was quick to point out that a mid-race shower in 2000, when he finished second to Michael Schumacher, could also be counted as a wet race.

The ‘slebs’ were out in force at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve today. Star Wars director George Lucas was a guest of AT&T Williams; Hollywood A-lister Colin Farrell was with Renault and R&B star Rihanna (who put on a very raunchy performance at the Bell Centre last night) was a guest of Mr Ecclestone. We don’t think Rihanna’s thick head of red hair enjoyed the rain, do you?

“Where’s Paul? Where’s Paul?” These were the cries of Force India boss Vijay Mallya moments before the start of today’s race. Vijay was clutching two coconuts and he wanted his rookie driver, who was starting 11th, to crack them open – an Indian custom that is thought to bring good luck. Sadly for Paul, he was the last classified finisher in 18th. Try splitting hairs next time?