Max Verstappen Dominates FP1 as Charles Leclerc Crashes at Canadian GP
Max Verstappen set the pace during a dramatic and chaotic first practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix, leading the pack on a slippery Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The opening session of the weekend saw multiple drivers struggle with the challenging conditions, as the Montreal track was unusually low on grip, making it difficult to find consistency.
The session got off to a wild start with a spin from Alpine’s Franco Colapinto at Turn 2 on his very first flying lap, a sign of what was to come. Many drivers experienced a similar lack of control, with the combination of a cool but sunny day and a tricky surface catching out even the most seasoned competitors.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc briefly held the fastest time in the early minutes, but his session was cut short when he made a costly mistake. After locking up his front-right tire at Turn 3, Leclerc slid wide and slammed into the wall, severely damaging the front-left corner of his Ferrari. The crash prompted a brief red flag, bringing an early halt to the session as the team worked to clear the wreckage.
Despite the incidents, Verstappen’s performance was faultless as he kept his composure throughout the session. As the track remained difficult to master, the world champion proved once again why he’s a force to be reckoned with in F1, finishing FP1 at the top of the timesheets. As the teams looked to make adjustments and recover, the chaotic start to the weekend left plenty of questions for what lies ahead.
