Canadian Grand Prix: FP1 Report
Max Verstappen Leads Chaotic First Practice in Montreal
World Champion Max Verstappen set the pace during a turbulent first practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, concluding with a best time of 1:13.193.
The session was marked by multiple incidents, including early spins caused by a slippery surface. Notably, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari recorded the fastest time initially before crashing into the wall at Turn 3, suffering significant damage to his car and leading to a temporary red flag. Leclerc acknowledged his mistake, referring to the incident as a "driver error."
After the restart, George Russell emerged at the top with a time of 1:13.535, driving on Pirelli’s soft C6 tires. However, Verstappen responded quickly, reclaiming the top spot, followed by Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, who both delivered strong performances amidst the chaos.
Despite challenging conditions, Verstappen’s performance remained impressive as he narrowly avoided colliding with the Wall of Champions later in the session. The final classification saw him lead Albon by just 0.039 seconds.
Top Results – FP1 Canadian GP:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:13.193
- Alex Albon (Williams) – +0.039
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – +0.281
- George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.358
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – +0.537
Following the top five, Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), Lando Norris (McLaren), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Leclerc rounded out the top ten.
The second practice session is scheduled for 5 PM local time, promising further insights as teams adapt to the challenging Montreal circuit.
