Verstappen had the quickest time of the day as Leclerc is issued a significant race-day penalty, and Hamilton’s woes continue.
MONTREAL, Canada- Max Verstappen continued his success on the Formula 1 trail as the Dutchman took both Friday practice sessions in preparation for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit. The Ferrari’s of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. ran second and third. But Leclerc’s practice outcome was overshadowed by a 10-place race-day penalty issued for a new engine.
Verstappen set the quickest time of the day in the afternoon, recording a 1:14:127. As several other teams complained of porpoising (bouncing) mainly on the back of the track, the Red Bull proceeded on schedule with sights on Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session.
One of the most interesting outcomes of the day was how Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) and Fernando Alonso (Alpine) performed. The drivers, who have –won seven world championships between them, placed fourth and fifth overall.
Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly, as he always is, placed in the top ten with a sixth-place finish, while George Russell was the only Mercedes in the top ten, taking seventh in a disappointing result. His teammate and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who complained all day about his set-up, ended up 13th overall at a circuit where he has won multiple times. Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, ended up 11th, hoping like Hamilton to improve.
As in Baku, McLaren is showing good signs of improvement, as both Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo took eighth and ninth. Alpine’s
Esteban Ocon finished 10th following a brake fire earlier in the morning. The front right brake had to be repaired, which had the Frenchman delayed until the afternoon session was due to start.
While Ocon was fortunate to have a resolved problem, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas sat in the garage most of the afternoon with an anti-stall failure. The issue reduced the Finn’s day to three laps, which did not include a flying lap.
