First Free Practice Canada: Charles Leclerc to wall, Max Verstappen ahead

It was Max Verstappen the fastest in the first free practice session of the Grand Prix of Canada. On the Montreal circuit, the Red Bull Dutchman lapped in 1’13″193.

Lower behind the four-time world champion were the two Williams of Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz, off by 39 and 82 thousandths respectively, Fourth was the Mercedes of George Russell.

The long North American weekend started very badly for Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque of Ferrari ended up against the outside wall of the second chicane.

Obviously, c wouldn’t you know it, the accident resulted in a red flag halting practice. When they resumed, Leclerc found himself in 10th place, while his teammate Lewis Hamilton finished fifth.

Sixth and eighth were the two Racing Bulls of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson, between them, seventh, Lando Norris in the first of the two McLarens.

World leader Oscar Piastri, in the other McLaren, is 14th, just ahead of him Kimi Antonelli in the second Mercedes.