Hamilton Fastest in Final Practice Ahead of Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time victor at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, leaned on his extensive experience to lead the timing sheets in free practice 3 for the Canadian Grand Prix on Saturday. The Mercedes driver, who secured his first Grand Prix win in Montreal back in 2007, recorded a best lap of 1:12.549 seconds during the final practice session. The opening two sessions were heavily disrupted by rain, adding to the significance of this dry run.
Zhou’s Red Flag Incident
For the second time in three practice runs, Zhou Guanyu brought out a red flag. His Sauber locked up and spun into the barrier just five minutes into the session, interrupting the flow of practice and scattering debris on the track. Despite the interruption, drivers quickly returned to action, keen to maximize their final preparations ahead of qualifying.
Verstappen’s Recovery and Mercedes’ Strength
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the Dutch triple world champion, bounced back from a problematic Friday where he managed only four laps due to smoke issues in his car. He finished the session second, 0.374 seconds behind Hamilton. Verstappen’s recovery highlighted the team’s quick response to mechanical issues.
George Russell, Hamilton’s teammate, rounded out a promising session for Mercedes by setting the third quickest time. This strong performance from both Mercedes drivers suggests a competitive edge heading into the qualifying session later in the day.
Home Hero Stroll Impresses
Montreal native Lance Stroll, driving for Aston Martin, gave the local crowd plenty to cheer about by securing the fourth-fastest time. Stroll’s performance not only delighted his home fans but gives them hope for Aston Martin’s potential in this weekend’s race. He was followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and RB’s Daniel Ricciardo, who secured fifth and sixth positions respectively.
Consistent Performers and Notable Placements
McLaren’s Lando Norris, who had topped the first practice session, finished seventh in the final session. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who was fastest in the second session, secured the eighth spot. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez completed the top ten, just behind Norris and Alonso. The drivers enjoyed dry but overcast conditions for their final practice, a welcome change from the heavy rain and hail that had caused havoc on Friday.
Find the full results of free practice 3 here.
Looking Ahead
With the final practice session complete, attention now turns to the crucial qualifying session. Hamilton’s top performance, combined with Mercedes’ strong showing, sets them up for a competitive battle for pole position. Verstappen, despite his earlier troubles, remains a significant threat, while local favorite Stroll will be looking to capitalize on his home advantage.
