Disastrous Canadian GP: How Ricciardo's False Start and Wet Weather Stripped Piastri's Podium Dreams
The 2024 Canadian Grand Prix will be a race both Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri are eager to forget. What should have been a day of triumph turned into one of sheer frustration and heartbreak for the Australian duo. Set against the backdrop of Montreal's wet conditions, they both had golden opportunities to stand on the podium but were cruelly denied.
In qualifying, Ricciardo delivered a masterclass performance, earning himself a fifth-place start on the grid. Despite some pointed words from F1 legend Jacques Villeneuve questioning his continued presence in the sport, Ricciardo seemed determined to silence his critics. Yet, moments after lights out, his race began to unravel.
Ricciardo's Missteps and Penalties
The race started disastrously for Ricciardo when he made a marginal false start, dropping him immediately from P5 to P9 as his rivals surged past him in the opening corners. To compound his woes, a five-second penalty for this slight movement saw him fall to 12th place after pit stops.
Despite these setbacks, Ricciardo managed to claw his way back into the top ten, ultimately finishing eighth. His parting shot to critics was as cutting as ever: 'I won't give them the time of day. But yeah, top five, I've been quick all weekend. We're less than two tenths from pole. So, eat s***.'
Oscar Piastri's Heartbreaking Near Miss
Oscar Piastri also endured a gut-wrenching day. Starting fifth after a superb qualifying session, Piastri had his sights set firmly on his first Formula One podium. However, he found himself locked in a relentless battle with the Ferraris all day and was just unable to make the leap onto the podium. He was left to ponder what might have been after crossing the finish line in fourth place, just short of tasting champagne glory.
Despite the missed podium, Piastri remained optimistic. 'I think it's shown we can definitely take the fight to them,' he said, focusing on the positives from an otherwise frustrating day.
Verstappen's Victory and the Aussie Fallout
To add to the drama, Max Verstappen claimed victory at the Canadian GP, holding off a strong challenge from McLaren's Lando Norris in the final laps. The Dutchman's win added to his already impressive tally, securing his fifth win in seven races this season and further cementing his place at the top of the F1 standings.
Piastri's frustrations were twofold: battling the Ferraris and the wretched weather, he saw a potential clear shot at Verstappen evaporate into the damp Montreal air. 'I had no grip anymore. I was sliding a lot. I saw Lando closing in. The last 10 laps were flat out,' Verstappen admitted, highlighting how close Piastri and his team could have come to upsetting the Red Bull dominance.
This Canadian Grand Prix left both Ricciardo and Piastri with much to think about and many what-ifs. However, their spirits remain unbroken as they look forward to the next challenge, hoping each race is another chance to rewrite their story. With the season far from over, all eyes will be on whether the Aussies can convert their near-misses into podium finishes as the competition heats up.