The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix was packed with drama at the front, but further down the field, two experienced campaigners—Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz—delivered quietly impressive performances. Both drivers started outside the top 10, but through smart strategy and determined racecraft, they managed to climb into the points. Their contrasting circumstances and similar approaches made for an intriguing midfield storyline at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
Esteban Ocon – Opportunistic Strategy Pays Dividends
Starting Position
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Qualified 15th, started 14th for Haas’s 200th Grand Prix.
Strategy
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Embarked on a bold one-stop plan: launched from the grid on hard tyres, ran a long first stint, then switched to mediums on lap 58.
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His patience allowed him to avoid mid-pack traffic and extract maximum performance from his tyre window.
Performance & Finish
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Advanced steadily: overtook teammate Ollie Bearman, Racing Bulls’ Hadjar, and Williams’ Albon during his stint.
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Climbed from P14 to finish 9th, earning 2 points for Haas.
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No penalties or incidents marred his race; a possible pit exit clash with Sainz was investigated and cleared.
Comments
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“Very happy… a reward for Haas’s 200th Grand Prix,” Ocon said, praising the strategic execution.
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Analysts celebrated the effort: “Opportunistic strategy… executed perfectly”.
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One publication noted simply: “Maximised potential”.
Carlos Sainz – Recovery Drive from Deep in the Pack
Starting Position
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Knocked out in Q1, originally qualified 17th (penalized to start 16th) due to being impeded in the session.
Strategy
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Mirroring Ocon’s tactics, Sainz began on hard tyres, sliding through 57 laps before switching to mediums near the race end.
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The move was chosen to prolong the stint and pick off rivals as they pitted earlier.
Performance & Finish
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Showed patience: held ground early on the hards, then pitted late, springing up the order .
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Climbed from P16 to finish 10th, scoring 1 point, while managing a minor technical quirk on the Williams FW47.
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This marked Sainz’s 150th points finish, a testament to his consistency.
Comments
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Sainz admitted post-race: “I would’ve wished for more,” indicating frustration with deeper potential.
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Williams noted: “mixed day… but ultimately walked away with one more point”.
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Despite the result, Sainz’s patient climb and tyre management were key highlights.
Comparing the Two Performances
| Driver | Start | Strategy | Finish (Position / Points) | Notable Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esteban Ocon | 14th (Q15) | Hard → Medium (Lap 58) | 9th / 2 pts | “Reward for Haas… strategy paid off” |
| Carlos Sainz | 16th (Q17) | Hard → Medium (Lap 57) | 10th / 1 pt | “Would’ve wished for more” |
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Both debuted from the back, opting for one-stop hard-first strategies.
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Ocon’s execution was slightly stronger, overtaking more track rivals and gaining a place on Sainz.
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Their finishes (P9 and P10) mirrored each other, though Ocon had the edge in pace.
What It Tells Us
Ocon:
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Reinforced reputation for strategic maturity and opportunism, especially in midfield battles.
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Helped Haas celebrate a milestone—200 Grands Prix—with a solid points haul.
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Showed adaptability and tire management under pressure.
Sainz:
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Added another unlikely points finish despite setbacks in qualifying and some technical trouble.
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Demonstrated resilience and tyre conservation, key in Williams’ one-stop gambit.
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However, he remains self-critical—and clearly capable of extracting more from the car.
Final Thoughts
In Montreal, Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz exemplified smart, calculated mid-pack racing. From suboptimal starting positions, they both executed long runs on hard tyres, timed their lone pit-stops strategically, and climbed into the points—securing P9 and P10, respectively.
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Ocon’s drive was a strategic win for Haas’s 200th F1 entry and a strong reminder of his racecraft.
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Sainz’s recovery and milestone points finish highlight his consistency and resolve—even under technical duress.
This Canadian GP may not make headlines like the podium fight up front, but for Ocon and Sainz, it was a showcase of prowess, perseverance, and strategic excellence. It’s a reminder: in F1, sometimes the quietest battles—off the podium—are the most compelling.
