Surprising Turn of Events: Norris Dominates Delayed F1 Practice in Canada
The anticipation was palpable as drivers and teams arrived at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve under a bright blue sky, ready for the opening practice session for this year's Canadian Grand Prix. However, Mother Nature had an unexpected twist up her sleeve, as darkness quickly descended, followed by a deluge of rain and hailstones, turning the day into a challenging one for everyone involved.
The adverse weather conditions initially cast a shadow of doubt over the first practice (FP1) session. Discussions swirled around the possibility of it being called off. However, the FIA decided to stick to the schedule, allowing the hour-long session to commence as planned.
Despite the green light for FP1, the session began without any cars hitting the track due to the closed pit lane exit, announced by the FIA. For the first 22 minutes, teams and drivers patiently waited until the pit lane finally opened. At that moment, Lewis Hamilton, a six-time winner in Montreal, made his move, leaving the comfort of his Mercedes garage to venture onto the challenging circuit.
Joining Hamilton were the drivers from Sauber, Haas, and McLaren’s Lando Norris, with both Intermediate and Wet compounds being tested. The track conditions were treacherous, evident when Zhou Guanyu lost control at Turn 5 and collided with the barrier, leading to a damaged suspension and the appearance of the red flag.
The disruption was short-lived, and soon enough, several drivers returned to the track on Intermediate tires. With the sun making a brief reappearance and the track drying rapidly, it became a race against time to grab the top spot on the leaderboard.
Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 9, Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal, Canada, Practice Day." />The final moments of FP1 saw the determination of Charles Leclerc, who headed a queue of drivers opting to try out the slick tires. As the track conditions improved, times started to tumble. Lando Norris took full advantage of this, showcasing his skill and precision to set the fastest time of the session with a 1:24.435s lap. This impressive lap put Norris 0.328 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who in turn was significantly quicker than his teammate Charles Leclerc.
In a competitive field, Lewis Hamilton managed to secure fourth place in the lead Mercedes, while reigning champion Max Verstappen rounded out the top five for Red Bull. McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri delivered a commendable performance to land in sixth place, followed by Pierre Gasly of the Alpine team.
Valtteri Bottas, who initially seemed strong on Intermediates, ended the session in eighth place. Rounding out the top ten were Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes’ George Russell, both of whom are known for their consistent performances.
Outside the top ten, Daniel Ricciardo and his Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda were battling for positions, with Ricciardo coming out on top. The Haas team saw Kevin Magnussen edge out Nico Hulkenberg, maintaining an internal battle for supremacy.
Williams’ Logan Sargeant found himself sandwiched between the two Aston Martins, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finishing 15th and 17th respectively. Zhou Guanyu’s unfortunate early exit meant his participation was cut short.
Substitutions and practice appearances also contributed to the day's dynamics. Jack Doohan, making an appearance for Alpine, and Alex Albon of Williams, who completed only a single lap, did not set representative times, adding an element of unpredictability to the session.
As the first practice session closed with Norris setting the pace, the challenges and excitement of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend were just beginning. With the weather set to play a crucial role, the upcoming sessions promise to be equally thrilling, setting the stage for a memorable race in Montreal.