The eve of a brand new Components 1 season is upon us. On this interval between testing and the opening spherical, there’s an ocean of unknown crammed with infinite hypothesis and parsing by lap knowledge like tarot playing cards. Whereas it would not take an professional to inform that Aston Martin’s unreliable Honda energy unit would not instill confidence, nobody’s fairly positive which group is the cream of the 2026 crop. The wishful pondering of what may occur is thrilling as a result of we all know how F1 has thrilled as up to now.
We requested our readers earlier this week for his or her favourite F1 reminiscences. The responses mirrored our readership, largely targeted on the older North American rounds. Some talked about summer time pilgrimages to Indianapolis when the Brickyard hosted america Grand Prix. Nevertheless, most reminisced about F1’s conventional early summer time cease in Montreal. Regardless of newer rounds in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas, the Canadian Grand Prix stays the closest F1 race to followers within the Northeastern United States.
Senna was actually particular
Nelson Piquet drifting at Hungary 1986 whereas overtaking Ayrton Senna. Cross… Slide… Win…
Submitted by: Cpt Viking
When the world converged in Indianapolis
My first F1 expertise was incredible. In 2006, I drove from Minneapolis to Indianapolis with a buddy that was visiting from New Zealand. He was thrilled to hire an enormous American automobile (a Crown Vic, I feel), drive throughout the Midwest, and expertise F1 in America. We acquired to see all of the weirdness of a massively various, worldwide F1 crowd combine with every thing that Indy has to supply.
Notable moments embody rattling close to bumping into Mario Andretti as we had been strolling by the gang, listening to my Kiwi buddy say ‘What’s a corndog’, after which getting his overview as he ate one, and seeing Michael Schumacher blast down the straight at impossibly excessive speeds, seemingly by himself, lap after lap.
I nonetheless have video clips (with audio!) of the race that I recorded on my flip cellphone.
Submitted by: GrannyShifter
Getting plastered on grappa at Monza
Lately, Lewis’ 2024 Silverstone win and Hulkenberg’s podium.
The 2021 season was about as unbelievable as a season may be for WDC. It is a disgrace it got here right down to a…questionable…non-racing resolution.
Personally, going to Italy to see the Monza race, which included a visit to the Ferrari museum, Lamborghini manufacturing unit/museum, and some personal collections + some rural restaurante who served us some paint thinner/moonshine grappa.
Submitted by: FragOut
Kubica’s unforgettable return to Canada
Robert Kubica’s win in Canada, 2008. Sure, it is as a result of the highest three all acquired crashed out at a pink mild, however after the 2007 crash, he deserved it.
Submitted by: Brent Shipes
Watching Kimi retire to his docked yacht
I’ve just a few for positive, however my favourite that I deliver up each single 12 months when the race occurs:
2006 Monaco GP, Kimi Raikkonen’s automobile overheats, breaks down and is completed for the race. So what does he do? Walks again to his yacht, takes off his gear, and lounges together with his friends.
Submitted by: Alf Fanatic
A beloved dwelling win from Gilles Villeneuve
Gilles Villeneuve successful in a Ferrari on the first ever race at Circuit Île Notre Dame after the Canadian Grand Prix was moved from Mosport to the brand new island circuit Montreal for ’78. It was very becoming for a Provincial native to win the inaugural Canadian GP at that exact circuit, which has been the house of the Canadian GP since that very day. He’s nonetheless the one Canadian to ever win the Canadian GP.
His victory at Monaco in 1981 is simply pretty much as good, solely to lose him lower than a 12 months later.
Submitted by: Scarbourgeoisie
Time flies once you’re having enjoyable as a marshal
Flagging the Canadian Grand Prix in 2015 was fairly an expertise. I would by no means had a race go by so rapidly. A humorous factor occurred simply earlier than the inexperienced lights: a message got here by my headphones from one other nook marshal: “I’ve a seagull consuming a fish in the course of the observe, what do I do?” You possibly can see me on the left within the picture.
Submitted by: Luc Desaulniers (minardi)
Monaco may be enjoyable even on a finances
Finest second needed to be in 2018 – Simply graduated out of faculty, my associates and I went to France to spend a while collectively earlier than being thrown into company life. On the time, I wasn’t an enormous F1 fan, however a few buddies had secured the most affordable attainable tickets to the Monaco Grand Prix.
We went, and I used to be uncovered to the thrills of the best qualifying of the season. I additionally fell in love with Daniel Ricciardo and acquired to witness his redemption win after what occurred just a few seasons earlier than.
Most significantly, it acquired me hooked. By no means missed a session or race once more. Nice time with nice associates.
Submitted by: Aman Vakharia
Witnessing Schumacher attempting to shortcut a penalty in pit lane
Bought just a few, I suppose. I’ve solely ever been to 1 F1 race, Silverstone in 1998, which was a tremendous expertise. Watching F1 vehicles change course at pace by the Maggots/Becketts complicated was mind-blowing. Schumacher received within the rain… type of. He was imagined to serve a penalty and pulled into the pits proper on the finish of the race, so he took the checkered flag whereas on the pit lane and there was some controversy over whether or not that basically counted or not… in all probability should not have.
Strongest reminiscence, however not favourite end result: Massa NOT successful the title at Interlagos in 2008. I used to be rooting for him SO HARD.
Favourite reminiscence: Raikkonen successful the title the 12 months earlier than in 2007. Watched in a lodge room (early a.m. California time) with my then-new gf / now spouse on one in all our first journeys collectively!
Sure, I am a Tifosi.
Submitted by: WeryPert1
F1’s longest-ever race was absolute cinema
Jenson Button’s win in Canada in 2011. It was the longest ever F1 race, with Jenson recording a mean pace of 46mph throughout the total race distance. He made 6 visits to pit lane, together with for one drive-through penalty. He collided with three different vehicles in the course of the race, together with his personal teammate. He pressured Vettel right into a mistake with a handful of corners to go, taking the lead on the final lap. Absolute cinema!
Submitted by: Tim F
