As Lewis Hamilton stepped onto the track for FP1 in Canada, the conditions were gloomy.
Here are the complete results from the first free practice session (FP1) at the Canadian Grand Prix, the ninth round of the F1 2024 season at the fan-favourite Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.
Lando Norris, the McLaren driver, took the lead in FP1, as he achieved the fastest lap time of 1:24:435 on soft tyres, securing the P1 position ahead of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who formed the Ferrari pair.
FP1 results from the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton secured the fourth position, while Max Verstappen in his Red Bull completed the top five.
Due to the anticipated significant impact of rain in Montreal on the weekend’s outcome, the track remained inactive for the initial 25 minutes as a result of the prevailing weather conditions.
Although the session started on time, the pit lane was officially shut down, barring drivers from venturing out. This was due to marshals working diligently to remove the accumulated water on the track.
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The session finally commenced shortly before reaching the halfway point, however, after just 11 minutes, the red flags were raised due to Zhou Guanyu’s loss of control of his Sauber and collision with the wall at the right-hand bend of Turn 5.
Following that interlude, the weather swiftly improved, resulting in faster lap times on the intermediate tires as the track rapidly dried up. This occurred with 23 minutes still left in the race.
The conditions improved at such a rapid pace that drivers were able to change to slick tyres before the session ended. In the midst of a late surge of fast laps, Norris secured the top position.
Zhou, as well as Jack Doohan – the Alpine reserve driver deputing in FP1 for Esteban Ocon, who will suffer a five-place grid drop this weekend after causing a collision in Monaco last time out – and Alex Albon, were the three drivers who did not record a lap time across the hour-long session.
First practice (FP1) results – 2024 Canadian Grand Prix
1. Lando Norris McLaren 1:24.435
2. Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.328
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.871
4 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +1.535
5 Max Verstappen Red Bull +2.067
6 Oscar Piastri McLaren +2.319
7 Pierre Gasly Alpine +3.149
8 Valtteri Bottas Sauber +3.235
9 Sergio Perez Red Bull +3.623
10 George Russell Mercedes +4.106
11 Daniel Ricciardo RB +4.147
12 Yuki Tsunoda RB +4.288
13 Kevin Magnussen Haas +4.617
14 Nico Hulkenberg Haas +8.391
15 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +8.976
16 Logan Sargeant Williams +12.151
17 Lance Stroll Aston Martin +16.095
18 Guanyu Zhou Sauber no time
Jack Doohan Alpine no time
20 Alexander Albon Williams no time
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