Canadian Grand Prix 2012 - Race Schedule and Countdown
Canadian Grand Prix
Montreal • Canada
Jun 10, 2012 6:00 PM
Race Results
Race Summary
Lewis Hamilton secured a dominant victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, becoming the seventh different winner in seven races and completing Formula 1's most remarkable sequence of unpredictability in the sport's history. The McLaren driver controlled the race from start to finish at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, leading home Romain Grosjean's Lotus and Sergio Perez's Sauber in a result that left the championship standings incredibly tight and proved that 2012 would be unlike any season before it.
Hamilton's pole lap had been exceptional, and he converted that qualifying advantage into a perfect start, immediately pulling away from the chasing pack down Montreal's long back straight. The British driver then proceeded to control the race with authority, managing his tires expertly on the demanding Circuit Gilles Villeneuve where the heavy braking zones and acceleration out of the slow chicanes placed enormous stress on the Pirelli compounds. McLaren's strategy was flawless, timing Hamilton's pit stops to perfection and giving him the track position to control the race despite challenges from behind. His pace was relentless, setting fastest lap and never looking troubled despite the pressure.
Grosjean drove a brilliant race to secure second place, claiming his best Formula 1 result to date and demonstrating Lotus's consistent competitiveness. The Frenchman's speed and tire management impressed throughout the weekend, though his aggressive driving style continued to raise eyebrows in the paddock. Perez completed the podium in third place for Sauber, securing his third podium of the season and confirming his status as one of the sport's rising stars. The Canadian Grand Prix result meant seven different winners from seven races - a feat never achieved before in Formula 1 and one unlikely to be repeated. The championship standings reflected the chaos, with multiple drivers separated by tiny margins and no clear favorite. Hamilton's victory gave him hope of mounting a title challenge, though McLaren's ongoing reliability issues would soon dash those dreams.