2006 Canadian Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Fernando Alonso extended his winning run in Canada, overcoming Kimi Räikkönen’s early challenge and a late safety car. Michael Schumacher seized second near the finish, while Fernando Alonso left Montreal with an even stronger championship lead.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Fernando Alonso	Renault
Pole time	1:14.942
Fastest lap	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren
Fastest-lap time	1:15.841 on lap 22
First	Fernando Alonso	Renault
Second	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Third	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
23 June 2006	Practice 1	11:00
23 June 2006	Practice 2	14:00
24 June 2006	Practice 3	11:00
24 June 2006	Qualifying	13:00
25 June 2006	Race	13:00

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Fernando Alonso arrived at round 9 leading the 2006 F1 World Championship on 74 points, with Michael Schumacher on 51. Renault headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 106 points.

Race entries

The 11 teams kept the same race line-ups for the Canadian Grand Prix. Alexander Wurz, Anthony Davidson, Giorgio Mondini, Neel Jani, Robert Doornbos, Robert Kubica, Sakon Yamamoto also took part in practice.

Free Practice

Robert Kubica dominated a quiet Friday morning on a cool, windy and dirty circuit. Several race drivers stayed in the garage or completed only installation laps, leaving the third cars to gather most of the data. Tiago Monteiro ended the session in the wall at the final corner, an early reminder of the Circuit Gilles Jacques Villeneuve’s unforgiving boundaries.

The track gained grip as temperatures rose and rubber accumulated, but Robert Kubica stayed quickest in the afternoon. Fernando Alonso closed to within a tenth, and Kimi Räikkönen also showed encouraging pace. Teams were assessing their cars after tighter scrutiny of flexible wings, with straight-line speed and race preparation more informative than the varied Friday fuel loads alone.

Renault moved first and second on Saturday, Fernando Alonso ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella, with both BMW Saubers next. Michael Schumacher spun and later encountered traffic on a quick lap. The session reinforced Renault’s strong position while suggesting that BMW Sauber could play a more prominent role than in some earlier races.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2006 Canadian Grand Prix FP1, 23 June 2006

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	38	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	1:16.390	30
2	36	Anthony Davidson	Honda	+1.916s	26
3	35	Alexander Wurz	Williams	+2.551s	23
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+2.604s	5
5	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+2.680s	6
6	12	Jenson Button	Honda	+2.775s	6
7	40	Neel Jani	Toro Rosso	+2.868s	24
8	37	Robert Doornbos	Red Bull Racing	+3.291s	20
9	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+3.764s	7
10	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	+4.256s	9
11	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	+4.409s	8
12	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+4.471s	6
13	23	Franck Montagny	Super Aguri	+5.393s	17
14	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+5.501s	20
15	41	Sakon Yamamoto	Super Aguri	+6.769s	29
16	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+6.789s	5
17	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+7.639s	7
18	39	Giorgio Mondini	Midland	No time	2
19	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	No time	2
20	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	No time	1
21	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	No time	1
22	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	No time	1
23	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	No time	1
24	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	No time	1
25	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	No time	1

Free Practice 2 Classification

2006 Canadian Grand Prix FP2, 23 June 2006

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	38	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	1:16.965	33
2	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+0.130s	15
3	35	Alexander Wurz	Williams	+0.372s	21
4	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.525s	10
5	36	Anthony Davidson	Honda	+0.662s	32
6	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+0.840s	21
7	9	Mark Webber	Williams	+0.883s	13
8	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+1.044s	18
9	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+1.050s	13
10	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	+1.070s	14
11	37	Robert Doornbos	Red Bull Racing	+1.236s	32
12	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+1.314s	16
13	12	Jenson Button	Honda	+1.464s	18
14	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	+1.538s	20
15	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+1.584s	17
16	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+1.649s	23
17	4	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	+1.796s	14
18	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	+1.900s	15
19	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+1.903s	17
20	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+1.942s	21
21	10	Nico Rosberg	Williams	+2.083s	10
22	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+2.134s	15
23	39	Giorgio Mondini	Midland	+2.173s	24
24	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+2.348s	15
25	40	Neel Jani	Toro Rosso	+2.576s	28
26	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+2.659s	22
27	41	Sakon Yamamoto	Super Aguri	+3.232s	26
28	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	+3.297s	18
29	23	Franck Montagny	Super Aguri	+4.469s	22

Free Practice 3 Classification

2006 Canadian Grand Prix FP3, 24 June 2006

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:15.455	20
2	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+0.066s	19
3	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	+0.099s	13
4	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+0.161s	12
5	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.447s	12
6	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.504s	13
7	4	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	+0.520s	12
8	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+0.879s	17
9	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+0.893s	18
10	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+1.038s	18
11	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	+1.205s	17
12	12	Jenson Button	Honda	+1.218s	15
13	9	Mark Webber	Williams	+1.255s	13
14	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+1.310s	11
15	10	Nico Rosberg	Williams	+1.374s	19
16	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+1.473s	19
17	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+2.048s	24
18	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	+2.292s	18
19	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+2.757s	18
20	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+3.471s	18
21	23	Franck Montagny	Super Aguri	+3.705s	19
22	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	+4.076s	16

Qualifying

Fernando Alonso secured pole with Giancarlo Fisichella alongside, giving Renault another front-row lockout. Kimi Räikkönen qualified third ahead of Jarno Trulli, while Michael Schumacher could manage only fifth. Nico Rosberg took sixth, followed by Juan Pablo Montoya and Jenson Button.

Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa missed Q3, while both BMW Saubers reached the final session after their strong practice showing. Fernando Alonso’s starting position put him in control of the race’s opening phase, but Kimi Räikkönen had demonstrated enough pace to make McLaren a serious threat.

Qualifying Classification

2006 Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying, 24 June 2006

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Laps
1	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:15.350	1:14.726	1:14.942	23
2	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	1:15.917	1:15.295	1:15.178	22
3	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:15.376	1:15.273	1:15.386	30
4	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	1:16.455	1:15.506	1:15.968	29
5	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:15.716	1:15.139	1:15.986	24
6	10	Nico Rosberg	Williams	1:16.404	1:15.269	1:16.012	28
7	4	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	1:16.251	1:15.253	1:16.228	26
8	12	Jenson Button	Honda	1:16.594	1:15.814	1:16.608	30
9	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	1:16.735	1:15.601	1:16.912	31
10	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	1:16.259	1:15.555	1:17.209	24
11	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	1:16.493	1:15.832	—	10
12	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	1:16.585	1:15.833	—	12
13	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	1:15.906	1:15.885	—	11
14	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	1:16.702	1:15.888	—	12
15	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	1:16.581	1:16.116	—	16
16	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	1:16.514	1:16.301	—	11
17	9	Mark Webber	Williams	1:16.985	—	—	7
18	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	1:17.016	—	—	7
19	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	1:17.121	—	—	8
20	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	1:17.140	—	—	7
21	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	1:19.088	—	—	6
22	23	Franck Montagny	Super Aguri	1:19.152	—	—	7

David Coulthard received a 10 place grid penalty because of an engine change after qualifying.

What happened in the 2006 Canadian Grand Prix?

Giancarlo Fisichella crept forward before the start and received a drive-through penalty, allowing Kimi Räikkönen to become Fernando Alonso’s closest challenger. The Midland drivers collided, and Juan Pablo Montoya’s battle with Nico Rosberg ended in contact that eliminated the Williams and damaged the McLaren. Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen then pulled the leading contest clear.

Kimi Räikkönen stayed out longer at the first stops but lost time to a wheel-change problem. His second stop was also compromised, following a spin on the in-lap and an anti-stall delay. A late safety car after Jacques Villeneuve crashed erased the gaps and gave Michael Schumacher another opportunity to attack.

Fernando Alonso held on to win, while Schumacher passed Kimi Räikkönen after a late mistake by the Finn. Giancarlo Fisichella recovered to fourth ahead of Felipe Massa, Jarno Trulli, Nick Heidfeld and David Coulthard. Fernando Alonso had now finished first or second in every race of the season, with six wins from nine starts.

After the race, Fernando Alonso headed the drivers’ standings with 84 points, followed by Michael Schumacher on 59. Renault led the constructors’ table on 121, with Ferrari on 87.

2006 Canadian Grand Prix race results

The 2006 Canadian Grand Prix was held on 25 June 2006, with a scheduled start of 13:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	70	1:34:37.308	10
2	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	70	+2.111	8
3	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	70	+8.813	6
4	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	70	+15.679	5
5	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	70	+25.172	4
6	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	69	+1 lap	3
7	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	69	+1 lap	2
8	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	69	+1 lap	1
9	12	Jenson Button	Honda	69	+1 lap	0
10	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	69	+1 lap	0
11	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	69	+1 lap	0
12	9	Mark Webber	Williams	69	+1 lap	0
13	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	68	+2 laps	0
14	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	66	+4 laps	0
15	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	64	Accident	0
Ret	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	58	Accident	0
Ret	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	58	Withdrew	0
Ret	4	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	13	Accident	0
Ret	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	11	Engine	0
Ret	23	Franck Montagny	Super Aguri	2	Engine	0
Ret	10	Nico Rosberg	Williams	1	Collision	0
Ret	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	0	Collision	0

2006 Canadian Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	22	1:15.841	207.006
2	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	22	1:15.911	206.815
3	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	68	1:15.993	206.592
4	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	49	1:16.669	204.771
5	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	31	1:17.308	203.078
6	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	29	1:17.394	202.852
7	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	52	1:17.454	202.695
8	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	15	1:17.503	202.567
9	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	55	1:17.576	202.377
10	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	39	1:17.619	202.264
11	9	Mark Webber	Williams	17	1:17.705	202.041
12	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	52	1:17.720	202.002
13	12	Jenson Button	Honda	21	1:18.001	201.274
14	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	50	1:18.078	201.075
15	4	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	5	1:18.493	200.012
16	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	19	1:18.793	199.251
17	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	10	1:19.286	198.012
18	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	5	1:19.291	197.999
19	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	40	1:20.490	195.050
20	23	Franck Montagny	Super Aguri	2	2:07.709	122.932

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

2006 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2006 Canadian Grand Prix.

2006 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	Renault	84
2	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	59
3	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	McLaren	39
4	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Renault	37
5	Felipe Massa	Brazilian	Ferrari	28
6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	McLaren	26
7	Jenson Button	British	Honda	16
8	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Honda	13
9	Nick Heidfeld	German	BMW Sauber	12
10	Ralf Schumacher	German	Toyota	8
11	David Coulthard	British	Red Bull Racing	8
12	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	BMW Sauber	7
13	Mark Webber	Australian	Williams	6
14	Nico Rosberg	German	Williams	4
15	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Toyota	3
16	Christian Klien	Austrian	Red Bull Racing	1
17	Scott Speed	American	Toro Rosso	0
18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Italian	Toro Rosso	0
19	Christijan Albers	Dutch	Midland	0
20	Tiago Monteiro	Portuguese	Midland	0
21	Takuma Sato	Japanese	Super Aguri	0
22	Yuji Ide	Japanese	Super Aguri	0
23	Franck Montagny	French	Super Aguri	0

2006 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Renault	121
2	Ferrari	87
3	McLaren	65
4	Honda	29
5	BMW Sauber	19
6	Toyota	11
7	Williams	10
8	Red Bull Racing	9
9	Toro Rosso	0
10	Midland	0
11	Super Aguri	0

2006 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2006 Bahrain Grand Prix	Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir	12 March
2	2006 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	19 March
3	2006 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	2 April
4	2006 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	23 April
5	2006 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	7 May
6	2006 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	14 May
7	2006 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	28 May
8	2006 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	11 June
9	2006 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	25 June
10	2006 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	2 July
11	2006 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	16 July
12	2006 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	30 July
13	2006 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	6 August
14	2006 Turkish Grand Prix	Istanbul Park, Istanbul	27 August
15	2006 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	10 September
16	2006 Chinese Grand Prix	Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai	1 October
17	2006 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	8 October
18	2006 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	22 October