F1 Results Today: Lewis Hamilton suffers as Ferrari star CRASHES at C… read more
The opening practice session for the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix proved eventful and challenging for several Formula 1 frontrunners, with Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc both encountering difficulties on track. FP1 in Montreal saw Red Bull’s Max Verstappen top the timesheets with an impressive 1:13.193, reaffirming his dominance as the reigning four-time world champion. Surprisingly, it was Williams that provided the biggest shock of the session, with Alex Albon finishing just 0.039 seconds behind Verstappen in second, followed closely by teammate Carlos Sainz, who slotted into third, just 0.082 seconds off the pace. This unexpected performance from Williams, a team not typically seen among the frontrunners in recent seasons, highlighted the unpredictable nature of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Mercedes’ George Russell secured fourth place, 0.342 seconds adrift, with Lewis Hamilton rounding out the top five, albeit nearly half a second behind the leader.
Hamilton’s session was not without its share of drama. The seven-time world champion spun at the Turn 10 hairpin but managed to avoid serious damage or contact with the barriers, allowing him to continue. His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc wasn’t as fortunate. Just 15 minutes into the session, Leclerc locked up at the second chicane and crashed into the barriers, bringing out a red flag and ending his FP1 outing prematurely. Leclerc still managed to finish the session in 10th, but the early exit added to Ferrari’s recent struggles. The Italian team will no doubt be working overnight to assess the damage and prepare the car in time for FP2.
Further down the grid, McLaren endured a disappointing session despite high expectations. Championship leader Oscar Piastri could only manage 14th, over a second off Verstappen’s pace, while teammate Lando Norris posted a best time that placed him seventh. The performance drop surprised many, especially after McLaren’s strong showing in earlier races this season. Racing Bulls also showed solid pace, with Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson finishing sixth and eighth respectively, showcasing the team’s continued development and ability to challenge the midfield. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly took ninth, just ahead of Leclerc.
Elsewhere, Red Bull’s second driver Yuki Tsunoda ended the session 11th, narrowly ahead of Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli impressed in 13th, keeping within a second of the leading time. Behind Piastri in 14th, Lance Stroll, Gabriel Bortoleto, Ollie Bearman, Esteban Ocon, Franco Colapinto, and Nico Hulkenberg filled out the bottom six. Hulkenberg, now driving for Kick Sauber, had a tough session and finished last, 1.628 seconds off the leading time.
Despite the setbacks for Hamilton and Leclerc, there’s still plenty of time left for teams to adjust before qualifying. Practice continues later today with FP2 scheduled for 5:00pm local time (10:00pm BST), while FP3 will take place on Saturday, June 14 at 12:30pm local (5:30pm BST). With the competitive gaps so tight at the front and some surprise performers emerging, the rest of the weekend promises exciting battles across the field. Max Verstappen, fresh off securing his fourth world championship last season, remains the favorite heading into qualifying, but with strong performances from Williams and the potential recovery from Ferrari and McLaren, nothing is guaranteed. The unpredictable conditions and unique challenges of the Montreal circuit often serve as a great equalizer, and fans can expect more drama as the weekend unfolds.
