Robert Kubica made history in the landmark 2008 Canadian Grand Prix – the 40th anniversary of the race’s debut and its 30th appearance in Montreal – by doing just as
Lewis Hamilton had done this time last year, and keeping his head whilst many around him lost theirs’.
On a chaotic day when drivers were being requested to stay away from the apexes at turns two, five and seven – with fears over the disintegrating track surface – and thunderstorms threatening (though happily never materialising), the Pole produced a supremely fast, composed and mature performance to secure his breakthrough
Formula 1 victory at only his 29th attempt – at the track where just twelve months ago he had suffered the most terrifying crash of the season and one that kept him out of action for two weeks.
BMW-Sauber team-mate
Nick Heidfeld made it a one-two for the Munich and Hinwil-based concern, with
David Coulthard racing to the bottom step of the rostrum to deliver RBR their first podium of the campaign and kick-start his season with a vengeance.
Hamilton retained his pole position advantage as the lights went out to signal the start of the race, with no trouble through the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve’s notorious opening two corners, though
Fernando Alonso was forced over the kerbs as he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, surrendering a position to the aggressive
Nico Rosberg in the process.
Also in aggressive mood was
Felipe Massa, who in attempting to mitigate a tardy getaway forced
McLaren rival
Heikki Kovalainen out wide, the Finn consequently losing a place to Honda’s
Rubens Barrichello, though he would grab the position back again before the first lap was out.
