Formula 1: Canadian Grand Prix Free Practice 2 Report
The second practice session for the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix commenced this afternoon at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, offering teams crucial insights ahead of qualifying.
Session Overview:
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) led the session, showcasing his dominance with a best lap time of 1:12.345. His teammate, Sergio Pérez, followed closely in P2, signaling a strong performance from the Red Bull squad.
Key Results:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:12.345
- Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) – 1:12.487
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 1:12.678
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:12.888
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 1:12.912
Technical Insights:
Teams focused on refining their setups and tire strategies, with soft compound tires dominating the lap times. Mercedes appeared to be closing the gap to Red Bull, with Hamilton expressing satisfaction with the overall balance of the car. Leclerc noted that Ferrari is working on optimizing their power unit performance to enhance straight-line speed.
Quotes:
Verstappen remarked, “The car felt strong, and we’ve found a good rhythm. We still have improvements to make, particularly in sector three.” Hamilton commented, “We are getting closer, but we need to capitalize on every opportunity in qualifying.”
Conclusion:
As teams prepare for qualifying, Red Bull continues to show its formidable pace, but Mercedes and Ferrari are under pressure to catch up. The weather remains consistent for tomorrow’s qualifying, setting the stage for an intriguing battle for grid positions.
Next Steps:
Final practice will take place tomorrow morning, followed by qualifying in the afternoon, where teams will look to secure optimal starting positions for the race.
