Just in: Verstappen misery continues as star suffers embarrassing c…read more
Verstappen misery continues as star suffers embarrassing c…read more
The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix weekend got off to a dramatic and action-packed start in Montreal, with plenty of talking points emerging from Friday’s two practice sessions. While the event began promisingly for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, it ended in frustration for the reigning world champion, as technical issues and a difficult second session overshadowed what looked like a dominant performance early in the day. Meanwhile, Mercedes found reason to celebrate, as George Russell topped the timing sheets in the second free practice session (FP2), setting the stage for what could be a competitive weekend for the Silver Arrows.
In Free Practice 1 (FP1), Verstappen appeared to be in full control, laying down a commanding lap time of 1:13.193 to lead the pack. The Dutchman’s performance seemed to indicate that Red Bull had dialed in their setup perfectly for the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. However, the biggest surprise of the session came from Williams’ Alex Albon, who stunned the paddock by clocking a lap just 0.039 seconds behind Verstappen, placing him second. His impressive pace reaffirmed the progress Williams has made this season. Close behind was Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who posted the third-fastest time and continued to demonstrate consistency for the Scuderia.
George Russell of Mercedes ended the session in fourth, showing competitive pace but not quite matching the frontrunners just yet. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton slotted into fifth, while teammate Charles Leclerc rounded out the top ten. Both Ferrari drivers encountered some challenges on track, with small errors and traffic preventing them from maximizing their lap times.
However, the real drama unfolded in FP2. Verstappen’s fortunes took a turn for the worse as he encountered mechanical problems that prevented him from challenging for the top of the time sheets. The Dutchman’s session was hindered by reliability issues, raising concerns within the Red Bull garage just days ahead of qualifying. It marked another disappointing turn in what has become a frustrating stretch of races for Verstappen, who has struggled to maintain his early-season form.
On the other hand, George Russell capitalized on the opportunity and delivered a stellar lap to go fastest in FP2, giving Mercedes a morale-boosting end to Friday’s action. His performance suggests the team may be back in the mix at the front after a series of upgrades. Overall, Friday’s practice sessions set the stage for an unpredictable and thrilling Canadian Grand Prix weekend, filled with surprises and renewed rivalries.
About The Author
