The second practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix turned into a thrilling spectacle of speed and strategy, with Fernando Alonso's masterful drive placing Aston Martin at the top of the charts amidst changing weather conditions.
After a largely wet FP1, drivers eagerly took to the track for FP2 to capitalize on the comparative dryness. Fernando Alonso showcased his prowess, recording an impressive lap time of 1m 15.810s, putting him ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and his Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll.
As is often the case in Formula 1, the session was not devoid of drama. Alonso, despite being the pace-setter, found himself frustrated by traffic, frequently resorting to his team radio to vent. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll, racing on home turf, and Haas driver Kevin Magnussen had early off-track excursions but managed to evade significant mishaps.
One of the hair-raising episodes involved Alex Albon at the final corner, narrowly escaping what could have been a disastrous end to his session. Max Verstappen wasn't so lucky; his Red Bull car was plagued by an ERS issue, leading him to pit with the unsettling smell of smoke trailing his vehicle. As if that wasn't enough, Charles Leclerc experienced a late-session spin, adding to the suspense-infused atmosphere.
As the race weekend continues, the dynamic between dry and wet conditions is sure to keep teams and drivers on their toes. The second practice session has already set a high bar for excitement, with Alonso's frontrunning form offering a glimpse of what might be possible for Aston Martin this weekend. Conversely, Verstappen and Red Bull will be looking to iron out the technical glitches that hampered their FP2 performance.
Stay tuned for more updates and highlights as the Canadian Grand Prix builds toward what promises to be an unforgettable race.
Hit play on the video player above to watch all the exhilarating highlights from FP2 in Canada.