Lando Norris topped FP3 for the Canadian GP dominated by tyre strategy and the Wall of Champions.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve presented a different challenge compared to Friday. The dust had now cleared, but both air and track temperatures had significantly increased. This presented a new challenge to the drivers and teams.
As the cars prepared to go out, fast and frantic work was underway for Lance Stroll and Charles Leclerc. Both had their front wings off the car with modifications made.
Green light – no rush to go out in FP3 at Canadian GP
There was not a rush to end of the pitlane at the green light of FP3 at the Canadian GP. Not many drivers were in their cars, as the track temperature continued to rise.
With five minutes gone, Stroll ventured out onto the circuit, having the track to himself, for a single lap before returning to the pits for a tyre change.
Liam Lawson joined the home-hero on track, warming his tyres before he too returned to the pits. Franco Colapinto, Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso all followed suit.
Drivers venture out before a red flag in FP3
Leclerc became the first of the major players to set a lap after his crash on Friday. His lap time became the benchmark to beat.
Oliver Bearman demonstrated track evolution by jumping to the top of the times, just under two tenths faster than the Ferrari.
The top spot saw several changes over the next few laps. With Pierre Gasly, and Alonso all taking turns in P1.
However, Colapinto’s challenging weekend continued, as he had a narrow miss with the Wall of Champions.
The two McLarens now ventured on to the circuit, keen to find more pace after a disappointing Friday. Norris’ first run moved him to seventh.
Oscar Piastri however became the next driver to hit the Wall of Champions, suffering a right rear puncture. Questions remained however he had damaged his suspension or gearbox. This brought out the red flag, as the wounded McLaren returned to the pit lane.
FP3 resumes
As the FP3 resumed at the Canadian GP resumed, the track became busy after the initial delay, as the major players took to the track.
The two Mercedes cars saw their pace drop off on the soft tyres, Russell in fifth, Antonelli down in 13th, Max Verstappen’s opening lap was only good enough for eighth.
Just over a second covered the top five cars, until the drivers began to push. Norris on medium tyres moved 0.468s clear of Leclerc’s time, before Russell went 0.046s clear of the McLaren on the soft tyres.
Tyre strategy once again dominated practice at the Canadian GP, as the field was split between soft and medium tyres.
Verstappen on softs, moved into P3, with Hamilton, on mediums, jumping to the top of the times, 0.050s clear of Russell. Russell however then reaffirmed Mercedes’ pace at the Canadian GP, moving over three tenths clear at the top once again.
Isack Hadjar replicated Colapinto’s Turn 1 spin, apologising to his team and was able to continue. Piastri, with his McLaren now repaired, moved into fifth.
Lower down the order, Alex Albon moved into sixth, with Bearman into seventh. The two Saubers’ poor pace continued to plague the team. Hulkenberg remained rooted to the bottom of the standings, with Bortoleto’s next performance run only good enough for P15.
Qualifying simulations begin
With under 15 minutes to go, Hamilton and Norris began their next runs, lighting up the sector times. Hamilton slotted 0.100s behind Russell, while Norris jumped to the top spot once again.
Bearman suffered a high speed impact into the Wall of Champions, but was able to continue, thanks to the angle of the contact.
Verstappen was next to show his hand. His lap time was 0.411s off Norris, with team-mate Yuki Tsunoda rooted at the bottom of the times. Red Bull opted to disassemble his brakes, and his chances of completing qualifying simulations runs looked bleak.
With five minutes to go, the drivers began to slide as they pushed the cars to the limit. Everyone was now on soft tyres.
Tsunoda, now on out track on soft tyres on a push lap, failed to move up the order. Norris’ next push lap failed to improve after a messy second sector. With two minutes to go, Leclerc lit up the timing screens, moving into second, 0.078s behind Norris’ lap.
Session Classification
- Lando Norris
- Charles Leclerc
- George Russell
- Lewis Hamilton
- Max Verstappen
- Fernando Alonso
- Kimi Antonelli
- Oscar Piastri
- Carlos Sainz
- Alex Albon
- Isack Hadjar
- Pierre Gasly
- Liam Lawson
- Lance Stroll
- Ollie Bearman
- Esteban Ocon
- Franco Colapinto
- Nico Hulkenberg
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Yuki Tsunoda
