Hamilton suffers as Ferrari star CRASHES following d…

Hamilton suffers as Ferrari star CRASHES following d… read more

The Canadian Grand Prix weekend got off to a turbulent start as the opening practice session (FP1) at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal presented significant challenges for some of Formula 1’s biggest names. Among those who faced a difficult outing were seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, both struggling to find their rhythm under tricky track conditions.

The session, which is usually a crucial period for drivers and teams to gather data and fine-tune their cars, turned into a frustrating experience for many. Unpredictable weather and a slippery track surface contributed to several incidents, forcing teams to adjust their strategies early on.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc suffered the most notable setback of the session. Just as he was beginning to push for faster lap times, the Monegasque driver lost control of his car and crashed, bringing his run to a premature end. The impact was enough to bring out the red flag, temporarily halting the session as marshals worked to clear the debris and recover Leclerc’s damaged Ferrari. Although Leclerc emerged unscathed from the incident, the crash disrupted not only his own preparations but also affected the momentum of the entire session.

The accident was a significant blow for Ferrari, who came into the weekend with high expectations. After showing promising pace in recent races, the team had hoped to start the Canadian Grand Prix on the front foot. However, the crash meant that Leclerc lost valuable track time, putting him and the team on the back foot heading into the remainder of the weekend. Ferrari mechanics were quickly seen assessing the damage in the garage, facing a race against time to get the car ready for the second practice session.

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, also endured a difficult FP1. The Mercedes driver, who has a strong track record in Montreal with multiple wins at the circuit, struggled to find grip and balance throughout the session. Hamilton appeared to be fighting with the car, unable to extract the performance he typically manages at this venue. His lap times reflected his discomfort, as he ended the session outside the top spots, far from where he would have wanted to be.

Speaking after the session, Hamilton expressed his frustration with the car’s handling, noting that the team would need to work hard overnight to improve the setup. “It’s been a tricky session,” Hamilton admitted. “The car just didn’t feel connected, and we’re not where we need to be right now.”

The combination of Leclerc’s crash and Hamilton’s struggles highlighted the unpredictable nature of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, particularly during the early practice sessions when teams are still working to understand track conditions. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is known for its challenging layout, which punishes even small mistakes, and the changing weather patterns often add an extra layer of difficulty.

Other drivers also faced challenges, with several reporting low grip and minor off-track excursions as they navigated the evolving surface. However, some teams managed to take advantage of the conditions, using the opportunity to gather important data on tire performance and car balance in preparation for the upcoming sessions.

As the paddock regroups and prepares for the second practice session (FP2), both Hamilton and Leclerc will be eager to put their early setbacks behind them. For Ferrari, the focus will be on repairing Leclerc’s car and giving him as much time on track as possible to rebuild confidence. For Mercedes and Hamilton, it’s a matter of quickly finding a more competitive setup to ensure they remain in contention for the rest of the weekend.

The opening practice has certainly set the tone for an unpredictable and potentially dramatic Canadian Grand Prix, leaving fans anticipating how the rest of the event will unfold.