Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
Fernando Alonso put his Aston Martin atop the FP2 timings as the changeable Canadian Grand Prix weather continued.
Alonso grabbed the top spot from Mercedes’ George Russell with a time of 1:15.810, taking advantage of the favorable conditions in the first half of the session. Unfortunately, Max Verstappen faced setbacks due to Energy Recovery System problems.
Fernando Alonso sets pace in rain-affected Canadian GP FP2
The weather threatened to play a major role once more in the second hour of practice, with light rain in the air and the radars showing further precipitation heading towards the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Considering this, it came as no shock to witness the drivers lined up at the pit lane’s final point, anticipating the green signal. Russell confidently opted for slick tyres, confidently stating that the rain was intensifying.
Carlos Sainz stated that the track conditions were not suitable for medium tires, leading his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc to switch to intermediate tires. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and Sainz himself decided to go back to the pits. The stewards observed that Leclerc may have violated rules regarding tire usage, prompting them to launch a post-session investigation.
F1 2024 drivers face the Wall of Champions
Wall of Champions explained: How one Canadian Grand Prix corner gained its fearsome name
The foolproof Canadian GP formula that new US F1 venues should copy
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly led the way at the beginning with a combination of soft tyres and intermediates on the slippery track. However, the radar indicated that a more intense downpour was about to occur.
Alonso set a time of 1:20.451 to take the top spot just as the tension started to build. He expressed frustration with Ferrari, labeling it as a “typical Ferrari,” and criticized Leclerc for not checking his mirrors in the last corner. Meanwhile, Kevin Magnussen lost control at the chicane, and several drivers missed the hairpin at Turn 10, emphasizing the challenging weather conditions.
However, despite the challenges, lap times continued to decrease. Alonso set a new benchmark of 1:17.835, but Leclerc managed to surpass it by using medium tires, clocking in at 1:16.556. Meanwhile, Verstappen had to retreat to the Red Bull garage due to his smoking brakes.
Lewis Hamilton achieved a remarkable feat by recording two impressive sectors in purple. However, his progress was abruptly halted when he had no choice but to cut the final chicane due to his rapid approach towards a Ferrari. Lando Norris experienced a similar predicament just a few minutes later, resulting in a growing frustration among drivers who suspected tactical moves. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso reclaimed the top spot in the timings by delivering a remarkable time of 1:15.810.
As Red Bull began working on Verstappen’s RB20, the track gradually became quieter during the second half of FP2 due to the intensifying downpour of rain.
The wet and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the remainder of the race weekend. Consequently, the excitement on the track would carry on, as drivers utilize intermediate tires. However, the track remains slippery, as evidenced by Leclerc’s spin at the hairpin. Additionally, the stewards have declared a post-session investigation regarding Norris, who went off the track once more at the final chicane and failed to navigate around the bollard before rejoining the track.
Alonso’s 1:15.810 secured him the first position in FP2, due to the changing conditions.
FP2 timings
1 Fernando ALONSO Aston Martin 1:15.810
2 George RUSSELL Mercedes +0.463
3 Lance STROLL Aston Martin +0.654
4 Charles LECLERC Ferrari +0.746
5 Daniel RICCIARDO RB +0.921
6 Kevin MAGNUSSEN Haas F1 Team +0.963
7 Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes +1.098
8 Yuki TSUNODA RB +1.141
9 Alexander ALBON Williams +1.167
10 Sergio PEREZ Red Bull Racing +1.231
11 Esteban OCON Alpine +1.607
12 Logan SARGEANT Williams +1.686
13 Carlos SAINZ Ferrari +1.912
14 Valtteri BOTTAS Kick Sauber +2.007
15 Nico HULKENBERG Haas F1 Team +2.093
16 Oscar PIASTRI McLaren +3.198
17 Guanyu ZHOU Kick Sauber +3.277
18 Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing +3.501
19 Pierre GASLY Alpine +4.979
20 Lando NORRIS McLaren +5.033
Read next: Mercedes deliver Red Bull RB20 ‘downgrade’ claim amid growing F1 2024 competition
