Alpine driver Fernando Alonso braved the rain and particularly cool weather to set the fastest time in the third free practice session of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon.
Alonso set a time of one minute and 33.836 seconds on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit, subtracting 53 thousandths of a second from Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly’s time. Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel set the third fastest time, two thousandths of a second behind.
For his part, Quebecer Lance Stroll set the 13th fastest time, 1.695 seconds behind the 40-year-old Spaniard. For his part, Torontonian Nicholas Latifi settled for 19th time.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton once again ran into trouble with his Mercedes and ended up in 15th place.
However, these results should be taken with a grain of salt.
Most of the drivers played it safe during the session, as light rain continued to pour down on the track, making it relatively slippery.
The teams therefore tested different settings, and juggled with wet and intermediate tires, in search of the best compromise. Some were nevertheless trapped in the turns, resulting in brief off-road visits.
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Kevin Magnussen (Haas) had the jitters a little more than the others, as their cars came to a stop only a few feet from a security barrier at the exit of the “S” of Senna, after long slips at the end of the session.
Weather conditions should improve in time for the start of qualifying, scheduled for 4 p.m. But Mother Nature could hold surprises.
One thing is certain however, Charles Leclerc will not start from first place on the starting grid for the race on Sunday.
His team, Ferrari, reversed its decision to replace certain components of its car’s engine, preferring to replace it completely. As a result, the Monegasque will start at the back of the pack, alongside Alpha Tauri driver Yuki Tsunoda, punished for the same reasons.
Leclerc, who did not register any time during the third free practice session, will therefore not be able to improve his impressive record which already includes six pole positions this season.
Verstappen and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez shared the other two top positions this season.
The Dutchman, reigning world champion, had dominated the first two free practice sessions on Friday.
Verstappen tops the overall standings with 150 points, 21 more than teammate Perez. Leclerc follows in third place, at 116, while all the other drivers on the board are below 100 points.
Hamilton is the defending Canadian Grand Prix champion. The Montreal event had been canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.