The first free practice for the Canadian Grand Prix turned out to be a brief interlude for the drivers on Friday evening. Rainfall and a red flag situation – following a crash by Guanyu Zhou – resulted in limited track time. At the end of the session at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal, McLaren driver Lando Norris (1.24,435) topped the timesheet.
The session at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal started with a wet track, a closed pitlane, and cars in the garages. A massive rain and hailstorm before the first free practice meant the track had to be somewhat dried, while the clock continued to tick. This resulted in valuable track time being lost for the teams on the semi-street circuit, which has been completely resurfaced this year and all the kerbstones have been revamped.
After 23 minutes, Lewis Hamilton, on intermediates, was the first to go out after the still wet track was released. The seven-time world champion and seven-time winner of the Canadian GP made it a sort of demonstration lap, as he cheerfully waved to the crowd in the stands along the way.
Zhou Hits the Wall
The drivers’ outdoor playtime only lasted a few minutes, as Stake F1 driver Guanyu Zhou almost immediately hit the wall, causing the first red flag situation. At that moment, only three drivers (Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen) had a time behind their names.
After the quick resumption, and now with a watery sun above the circuit, it gets a bit busier on the track, but it doesn’t amount to much. A few drivers slide through the grass, including Max Verstappen, which makes for some fun footage. Norris eventually records the fastest time, ahead of the Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Verstappen clocks the fifth time. However, the times have no value.
Jack Doohan makes his VT debut in Montreal. The son of former motorcycle racer Mick Doohan and Alpine reserve driver takes over the seat from the French enfant terrible Esteban Ocon in the Canadian city for a one-off. However, he doesn’t get further than an installation lap – unfortunately for him. At VT2, Ocon, who has to leave Alpine after this season, takes his place behind the wheel again.
