The Canadian Grand Prix could have ended as one of the best weekends of Alexander Albon in Formula 1, and if it hadn’t been for the contact between him and Carlos Sainz (with the Spaniard’s subsequent apologies) the Anglo-Thai driver could have also added a few points to the world championship standings. However, regardless of the retirement due to no fault of his own, the former Red Bull was more than convincing throughout the weekend, creating a masterpiece in the race. In qualifying, just like in the previous Monaco GP, the #23 managed to get into Q3, thus ranking among the top ten on the starting grid. Constantly fighting for the points until the contact with the Ferrari driver, Albon deserved the standing ovation for double overtaking completed on the 30th lap on Ricciardo and Oconmoving in one fell swoop from eleventh to ninth position.
Two positions gained in a single overtaking which usually generated reactions of healthy disbelief among enthusiasts due to the complexity of the maneuver. One case above all was that of Mika Hakkinen in the 2000 Belgian GP, who in the middle of the straight and at very high speed passed Michael Schumacher and the lapped Ricardo Zonta on the inside with an instantaneous move that surprised both drivers and which still today arouses strong emotions in fans. Albon’s attack, for now, is a candidate as the best of 2024, and with few doubts about it.
In track conditions that were not completely wet, the Anglo-Thai made full use of Ricciardo’s wake on the straight before arriving at the braking that introduces the last chicane, alongside the Australian from Racing Bulls on the outside. However, just at that moment, the Williams driver found Esteban Ocon’s Alpine in front of him and in full trajectory. Yet, instead of lifting his foot to set the braking, Albon completely overtook Ricciardo, so as to pass through the almost non-existent space between the front wing of the RB and the rear of the Alpine right at the entrance to turn 13. All this without the slightest contact and without any incorrectness, remaining far from the feared ‘wall of champions’ at the exit of turn 14. A double overtaking that left commentators and fans speechless, almost all of whom agreed to indicate this maneuver as the most beautiful sight in these first nine races of the championship.
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