Fernando Alonso Fastest in Another Wet Practice Session in Montreal
It was another unpredictable free practice session on Friday, with Aston Martin’s double world champion Fernando Alonso setting the fastest lap in the second session amidst rapidly changing conditions at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The day was marked by a severe weather watch, leading to two wet sessions that tested the drivers’ adaptability and skill.
Alonso Shined in Mixed Conditions
After finishing 15th in the rain-soaked first practice, Alonso took full advantage of early dry conditions in the second session to clock a best time of 1:15.810 seconds. The Spaniard’s lap was nearly half a second quicker than Mercedes’ George Russell, who secured the second-fastest time. Alonso’s performance showed he could adapt quickly to the circuit’s challenging conditions.
Stroll Delighted the Home Crowd
Canadian Lance Stroll, who hails from Montreal and whose father owns the Aston Martin team, provided a bright spot for the home crowd. Stroll posted the third-best time, and brought a cheer to the local fans despite the dreary weather. His performance aligned with Aston Martin’s strong showing in the second session, with both drivers in the top three.
Mixed Fortunes for Ferrari and Red Bull
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured the fourth-fastest time, building on his strong start to the weekend. However, it was a tale of two sessions for Ferrari, with Leclerc finishing third in the morning while his teammate Carlos Sainz, who was second fastest in the first practice, could only manage 13th in the afternoon.
Red Bull’s triple world champion Max Verstappen had a frustrating second practice. After a solid fifth-place finish in the morning session, Verstappen managed only four laps in the second practice before pulling into the pits, reporting smoke emanating from his car. This setback could hinder his capability to find the right balance on a wet track.
Surprise Performances from Ricciardo and Magnussen
In a surprising turn, two teams that typically don’t feature at the top of the time sheets made their presence felt. RB’s Daniel Ricciardo clocked the fifth-fastest time, while Haas’s Kevin Magnussen finished sixth. These unexpected performances add an intriguing dynamic to the weekend, with both drivers showing they can compete at the sharp end of the grid.
Hamilton Steady, Norris Struggles
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton posted the seventh-fastest time for Mercedes, a steady performance amidst the changing weather of the day. On the other hand, McLaren’s Lando Norris, who topped the first practice session, struggled significantly in the second, finishing at the very bottom of the time sheets. This stark contrast highlights the unpredictability of the conditions and the challenges they pose for the drivers.
Looking Ahead
As the teams prepare for the final practice and the all-important qualifying session, the focus will be on fine-tuning setups and strategies to cope with the unpredictable weather. Fernando Alonso’s impressive lap has set a high benchmark, but with conditions likely to remain volatile, the competition remains wide open.
View the full timing table here.
