OTD - WATCH: Iconic pit lane fight between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso during 2010 Canadian Grand Prix

On this day in 2010, the Canadian Grand Prix featured a thrilling battle between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, particularly in the pit lane. It all started after almost every driver decided to put on super soft tyres.

It led to some early pit stops which produced some iconic run-in pit lane. Both Hamilton and Alonso pitted together and were making pit exits at the same time. Both almost ran into each other while trying to overtake in the pits. In the end, Hamilton backed off and Alonso took an impressive lead but this iconic moment from the pit lane laid the foundation for an ultimate battle.

Watch Lewis Hamilton vs Fernando Alonso in pit lane:

Hamilton vs Alonso | #CanadianGP 🇨🇦 2010 pic.twitter.com/GkZoiXd7h8

— MomentosdaF1 (@MomentosdaF1) February 26, 2023

Things turned when Sebastian Vettel's pit stop temporarily promoted Sebastien Buemi to the lead, with Alonso and Hamilton closely trailing. As Buemi headed into the pits, Hamilton seized the opportunity to slipstream past Alonso’s Ferrari, advancing from third to first. 

Also Watch: Jenson Button's iconic run in the longest ever Formula 1 race

Lewis Hamilton’s iconic ‘push’ celebration

For the next 15 laps, Hamilton held his position despite increasing pressure from Alonso. The tension peaked when Alonso drew alongside Hamilton exiting the hairpin onto the back straight. Instead of risking a side-by-side duel into the final chicane, Hamilton made a strategic decision to pit.

Also Watch: Lewis Hamilton's first ever Grand Prix victory at Montreal

This move momentarily handed Alonso the lead, but he pitted two laps later. During his pit stop, Alonso encountered traffic, losing precious seconds while lapping Karun Chandhok's slower HRT car. This delay proved critical, as Alonso rejoined the track behind Hamilton, unable to capitalize on the brief advantage.

Watch Lewis Hamilton’s winning celebration:

P-P-P-push it real good! @LewisHamilton takes the slow train back to the pits at the 2010 #CanadianGP 🇨🇦🏎️🏁#F1 #Formula1 #LewisHamilton pic.twitter.com/dYrP3Lk8rh

— Formula 1® Race Programme (@F1RaceProgramme) June 3, 2024

In the end, this sequence of events was pivotal in Hamilton’s race, allowing him to maintain a competitive edge over Alonso and contributing to his eventual victory. The 2010 Canadian Grand Prix remains a memorable race, showcasing the high-stakes drama and split-second decisions that define the sport.