Dutchman Max Verstappen, on Red Bull, dominated the first day of free practice on Friday at the Canadian Grand Prix. The reigning world champion completed his best lap in 1 min 14.127 s to edge his nearest rival, Monegasque Charles Leclerc on Ferrari, by 0.081 s.
Posted at 7:25 p.m.
Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), Fernando Alonso (Alpine), Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri), George Russell (Mercedes), Lando Norris (McLaren), Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) and Esteban Ocon completed the top 10.
At the start of the afternoon, in warmer but also very windy conditions, it was already Verstappen who had set the best time in 1 min 15.158 s, almost 0.25 s ahead of Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Lance Stroll, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo.
On a circuit where he has never been particularly comfortable, Verstappen had a trouble-free day. Quickly finding the settings that gave his car a good balance, he first set a few fast laps, before concentrating on sequences of several laps in order to prepare for the race.
Photo Olivier Jean, THE PRESS
Max Verstappen
Really a good day. We quickly became comfortable with the soft tires and this allowed us to work at our own pace, calmly, during the two sessions. There is still work, of course, but I believe that we are in a very good position for the rest of the weekend.
Max Verstappen
Dominated by Leclerc in qualifying for four races, Verstappen believes in his chances this Saturday. “We’ve found a few tricks to shave time off a lap and I can’t wait to see where we get to. [samedi] against Ferrari. There are of course possibilities of rain, but it will be the same for everyone, “concluded the 24-year-old pilot before running for shelter, the first drops of a big storm starting to fall on the paddocks of the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit.
A costly penalty
For his part, Leclerc was less serene. Ferrari driver faces possibility of receiving multiple starting grid penalty due to engine change; the one that caused his abandonment in Baku, last Sunday, being irreparable.
The Monegasque has already reached the prescribed limit for the whole of the season for the various elements of the power unit of his Ferrari and, depending on the elements he and his engineers decide to replace before qualifying, he could be penalized by 10 places or even having to start at the back of the peloton.
Photo Olivier Jean, THE PRESS
Charles Leclerc
We still have several things to evaluate in order to make the best decision. Beyond qualifying, we have to find the strategy that will allow us to get the best possible result on Sunday, no matter where we start on the grid.
Charles Leclerc
The number 16 Ferrari has been running most of the day on soft tyres, an indication that Leclerc and his team are considering an aggressive strategy to climb the standings in the opening laps of the Grand Prix on Sunday.
Stroll 12eLatifi 19e
Behind the two most prominent drivers at the start of the season, the surprise came from Sebastian Vettel, surprising fourth at the wheel of his Aston Martin. In big progress for a few races after the introduction of a modified version of the car, twice winner in Canada in addition to having finished first in 2019 before being relegated to second place, the German is visibly pleased in Montreal and he could do well on Sunday.
His teammate Lance Stroll settled for 12e place, but he also showed good pace, especially in the first session.
Photo Olivier Jean, THE PRESS
Lance Stroll
We were very competitive as a team and that bodes well for the rest of the weekend. We will now have to maximize our chances in qualifying.
Lance Stroll
Vettel and Stroll were also summoned by race management after practice, along with Frenchman Pierre Gasly, for failing to comply with a directive on how to negotiate the escape route at turn 14 at the end of the straight.
The other Canadian, Nicholas Latifi, was less convincing on his Williams, having finished the day in 19e rank, the penultimate, taking advantage of the fact that the Finn Valtteri Bottas had not been able to complete a single lap.
The Torontonian was realistic: “Our performances are disappointing and we still have to work a lot in order to progress a little. It’s still very special to race here this weekend. I really feel the public support and I hope to use it to do my best. »
And porpoising?
The FIA uses Grand Prix free practice to collect data relating to the porpoising of the cars, which are equipped with sensors that measure the vibrations and vertical movements of the chassis. This is the first step in the process that should ultimately lead to the adoption of a specific limit.
As several observers have pointed out, this is a complex process, as there is a great deal of subjectivity in assessing an “acceptable” limit beyond which pilot safety is at risk. Teams and drivers are divided on the issue, and it will probably take long discussions before everyone agrees on the new rule and its application.
One thing is certain, the phenomenon is still very real and several drivers have complained about the jumps of their car. Briton Lewis Hamilton, whose comments prompted the FIA to intervene, said his Mercedes had never been “so bad”.
Not sure the new rules will help him much…