Forget Kimi Antonelli, two F1 drivers went completely under the radar with amazing displays at the Canadian Grand Prix

The Canadian Grand Prix might not have been the most action-packed race, but it did produce two defining moments of the season.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli took the first of what is likely to be many podiums in his F1 career for Mercedes, while Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided after battling for position.

Norris held his hands up instantly after the crash, admitting it was his fault after he made contact with the rear of Piastri and trying to take away fourth place.

In amongst all of what was happening up front, two unsung heroes of the Canadian GP ended up bringing home a decent points haul for their teams.

Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon score points for Sauber and Haas

Much of the race was centred around strategy, with Mercedes managing to outwit Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by using Kimi Antonelli in the final stint.

This was also the case in the midfield, with drivers extending either their first or second stints in a bid to win track position later in the race.

Alex Albon tried to do this before he suffered engine problems and retired, which left the gateway open for the Haas of Esteban Ocon and the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg.

Haas were celebrating their 200th race in Canada, so it was a fitting tribute for Ocon to score points for the team after they did so with Romain Grosjean in their first race in 2016.

Nico Hulkenberg outlines main ‘advantage’ they had over rivals

Hulkenberg scored his first points for Sauber at the Australian GP and then followed up with another points finish in Spain, and now he’s added to that tally again in Canada.

It was a remarkable achievement for him, considering he started outside of the top ten in P13, with Ocon further back in P15.

Discussing their strategy on F1’s post-race show, the German driver outlined how they had the advantage of an extra set of tyres compared to those in the top ten.

“We were struggling less than others. We were starting on a new medium, and a lot of other guys started on a used one because they used it in qualifying. That’s a big difference. I would’ve liked to go longer, but we had to protect from Franco and Isack, who were coming into our pit window,” said Hulkenberg.

Sauber keen to focus on the bigger picture in championship battle

Even though it was a good result for the team, Hulkenberg was keen to look ahead to the next races and focus on the bigger picture.

“It means nothing. These results don’t repeat themselves. You have to work for them. Do all the right things, do the job, no mistakes. Whatever we did in the last event in Austria, nobody cares.”

The net result now means the battle for sixth in the championship is now close between Haas, Racing Bulls, Aston Martin and Sauber, with just eight points between them all.

With 14 races to go there is still all to play for, with Williams also on 55 points and needing to score more consistent points to get themselves out of a potential battle where things can swing heavily.

Alpine is currently last in the Constructors’ Championship, despite drafting in the services of Franco Colapinto, who has yet to score points for the team.