Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix – FP1 Report
Montreal, Canada — Max Verstappen emerged as the fastest driver in the chaotic first practice session of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The reigning world champion clocked a time of 1:13.193 on a low-grip surface plagued by numerous driver errors.
Early in the session, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc set the pace but encountered significant trouble, crashing into the wall at Turn 3 just 15 minutes in, resulting in a brief red flag. Leclerc expressed regret over the incident, labeling it a "driver error." Other drivers, including George Russell and Lando Norris, also struggled, with both nearly losing control but avoiding the wall.
After the red flag, Russell momentarily took the lead with a time of 1:13.535 using the softest C6 tire compound. However, Verstappen quickly responded, reclaiming the top spot. Notably, Alex Albon set a promising pace for Williams, finishing second with a time just 0.039 seconds behind Verstappen.
FP1 Standings:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 1:13.193
- Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:13.232
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 1:13.868
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:13.535
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 1:14.220
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – Another strong showing from the junior team
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – Notably quick in the second sector late in the session
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – Solid performance
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – Last driver to beat Leclerc’s earlier best
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – Crashed after a promising start
As the session concluded, Verstappen, Albon, and Sainz demonstrated competitive pace, providing insights into potential strategies for the upcoming races. The second practice session is scheduled for 5 PM local time.
