Lando Norris Surprises Everyone with a Rain-Drenched Victory in First Canadian Practice
The anticipation was electric as dark clouds loomed over the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Friday. McLaren’s Lando Norris defied the elements, claiming the fastest lap during the opening practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix, outpacing Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, and leaving Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton trailing.
Weather forecasts had predicted rain, but the intensity of the downpour took everyone by surprise, turning the track into a treacherous waterlogged battlefield. Rain and hailstorms lashed the circuit, complicating the already challenging conditions for the drivers, exacerbated by recent track resurfacing and a generally low-grip surface.
A Dramatic Start Amid Torrential Rains
The practice session kicked off under a downpour, and the pit lane remained closed for nearly 30 minutes as officials worked to clear standing water from the 4.361-kilometre track. When the session finally began at 1:30 PM local time, drivers gingerly ventured out on Pirelli’s intermediate and wet tyres.
One of the early victims of the wet conditions was Kick Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu, who aquaplaned and hit the wall, causing a suspension failure that brought out the red flags. Despite the slippery conditions, the drivers pressed on, eager to gather valuable data ahead of the weekend's racing.
Top Performers and Key Moments
As the rain eased, the track began to dry slightly, allowing for faster lap times. Hamilton initially reported over the radio that the grip was severely lacking, his upgraded Mercedes sliding across the circuit in dramatic slow-motion replays. But it was Norris who ultimately took advantage of the improving conditions, clocking a 1:24.435s lap time despite patches of water still on the track.
Sainz was close behind, his best attempt being just over three-tenths slower than Norris. Leclerc followed, nearly a second off the pace, with Hamilton another 1.5 seconds adrift. Further down the order, reigning champion Max Verstappen rounded out the top five in his Red Bull, 2.067s off Norris's benchmark.
The Battle in Midfield
Oscar Piastri secured the sixth position, right behind his McLaren teammate. The Alpine duo, led by Pierre Gasly, performed solidly, while Valtteri Bottas placed his Kick Sauber in eighth. Sergio Perez and George Russell completed the top ten in their Red Bull and Mercedes, respectively.
The session also saw further drama from home favorite Lance Stroll, who found himself off the track momentarily but managed to avoid significant trouble. His performance, alongside that of Fernando Alonso, split by Logan Sargeant’s Williams, added to the mid-field intrigue. Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda of RB, along with Haas's Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, rounded out the competitive pack.
Looking Forward to the Weekend
After dealing with the wet and wild conditions of the first practice, drivers and teams will now debrief and prepare for the second practice session later today, with more rain forecasted. The unpredictability of the weather adds an element of suspense to the weekend, and it remains to be seen which team will come out on top in these challenging conditions.
With a challenging session behind them, all eyes are on the upcoming practices and the crucial qualifying laps that will determine the grid for Sunday’s race.