Canadian Grand Prix: FP2 Report
Montreal, Canada – Mercedes driver George Russell dominated the second practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix, setting a fastest lap of 1:12.123 on medium tires. He outpaced McLaren’s Lando Norris by a narrow margin of 0.028 seconds, establishing a tactical angle for qualifying on Sunday.
Russell’s impressive performance began with a lap on the softer tire compound, achieving a time of 1:12.602, but it was his medium tire run that secured his position at the top of the standings. The effective performance of the medium tire could complicate tire strategy for the forthcoming qualifying session.
McLaren’s Lando Norris found a clear lap late in the session to secure second place after initially struggling to improve with soft tires. Russell noted, "The balance on the medium was surprisingly good. We have options for the qualifiers."
A significant incident occurred just six minutes into the session when Lance Stroll of Aston Martin crashed into the wall at Turn 7, incurring terminal damage to his car. This marked another setback for Stroll, who returned home after missing the Spanish Grand Prix due to injury.
In rounding out the top five, Andrea Kimi Antonelli placed third, showcasing strong pace on soft tires, while Alex Albon of Williams confirmed his team’s competitiveness with a fourth-place finish. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso completed the top five.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri finished sixth, with Carlos Sainz’s Williams in seventh and Lewis Hamilton in eighth, as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was sidelined due to a chassis change following a crash in the first practice session.
Max Verstappen, after a strong showing in FP1, ended the session in ninth place, struggling with the setup of his Red Bull and noting, “The car felt nervous, especially on cold brakes.” Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson rounded out the top ten.
As the teams prepare for tomorrow’s qualifying session, the tire strategies employed today may play a crucial role in the outcome of the race on Sunday.
FP2 Results Summary:
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:12.123 (Medium)
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:12.151 (Soft)
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – Time not specified (Soft)
- Alex Albon (Williams) – Time not specified
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – Time not specified
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – Time not specified
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – Time not specified
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – Time not specified
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – Time not specified
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – Time not specified
As the weekend progresses, teams will refine their strategies based on the insights gained from FP2, with tire choice expected to be a decisive factor in qualifying and the race.
