(Montreal) Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso (Alpine) dominated the last free practice session of the Canadian Grand Prix, in the rain, ahead of Frenchman Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri), Saturday in Montreal, before qualifying which risked also run on a wet track.
Posted at 2:38 p.m.
Friday’s sun and heat gave way to rain and a temperature of 10°C on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit, which allowed other drivers to shine, including the double Spanish world champion ( 2005, 2006 at Renault).
Max Verstappen (Red Bull), championship leader and dominator on Friday, and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 3e of the championship and 2e Friday, respectively ended this rainy hour at the 9e and in last place, because Leclerc did not record a time.
The Monegasque will start at the back of the grid on Sunday, whatever his result in qualifying, because of a penalty caused by the installation of a 4e Ferrari engine, brand new, beyond the quota of three engines authorized per season.
Suddenly, it is the forties Alonso who took the opportunity to afford a symbolic first place with his Alpine. Gasly placed in 2e place at 53/1000ejust ahead of the four-time German world champion, Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin).
The other Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) took 4e time.
Rain and puddles trapped several drivers, starting with Verstappen, but also Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Kevin Magnussen (Haas). Without consequences.
The qualifications will be held at 4 p.m. local time (10 p.m. French time) and the rain could still be there. But this time, everyone will have to play the game.
The times
- Fernando Alonso (ESP/Alpine-Renault) 1:33.836s (15 laps)
- Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:33.889 (18)
- Sebastian Vettel (GER/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:33.891
- Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:34.003s
- Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:34.110
- Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:34.248
- George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:34.259
- Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:34.498
- Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:34.616s
- Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1:34.778
- Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo) 1:35.016
- Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo) 1:35.213
- Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:35.531s
- Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:35.643
- Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:35.692
- Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:35.761
- Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:36.261
- Mick Schumacher (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:37.388
- Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) 1:38.394
- Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 0000