Lewis Hamilton suffers as Ferrari star CRASH at Canadian

Lewis Hamilton suffers as Ferrari star CRASH at Canadian GP with… read more

The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix got off to a chaotic and eventful start during the first practice session (FP1) in Montreal. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, known for its challenging layout and proximity to the infamous ‘Wall of Champions,’ proved to be a tricky venue once again as several drivers, including seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, faced major difficulties on the track.

The most significant incident of the session involved Charles Leclerc, who crashed early on, forcing a red flag and temporarily halting the practice. The Monegasque driver lost control of his Ferrari while navigating one of the tight chicanes and slid into the barriers, causing visible damage to his car. Leclerc’s crash not only disrupted the flow of the session but also raised concerns for the Ferrari team, who will now face a race against time to repair the car ahead of the next sessions.

Leclerc’s incident seemed to set the tone for what would be a challenging day for several teams. Lewis Hamilton, who has historically performed well at the Canadian Grand Prix and has numerous victories at this circuit, also struggled to find his rhythm during FP1. The Mercedes driver suffered an off-track moment when he ran wide at Turn 8, briefly losing control and skidding into the run-off area. Fortunately, Hamilton managed to keep his car out of the barriers and was able to rejoin the session without serious damage, but it was clear that he was fighting to extract performance from his car in the tricky conditions.

The session’s early stoppage due to Leclerc’s crash disrupted the practice programs for many teams, leading to a condensed and frantic period once the track was cleared. Drivers and engineers scrambled to gather as much data as possible in the remaining time, but several struggled with grip levels and track temperatures, which appeared to be lower than expected. The cool conditions made it difficult for drivers to warm up their tires, leading to several lock-ups and minor excursions across the field.

Hamilton’s off-track moment was particularly disappointing given his recent momentum and the high expectations surrounding Mercedes’ upgrades introduced for this race. His brief trip into the run-off area underlined the car’s continued sensitivity, particularly under braking and in low-speed corners. Despite this setback, Hamilton remained positive over team radio and appeared determined to bounce back in the following sessions.

For Ferrari, Leclerc’s crash presents an additional challenge. The team will need to assess the extent of the damage and potentially replace key components, which could complicate their strategy for the rest of the weekend. Leclerc, who has been in strong form this season, will now need to recover quickly to stay competitive for qualifying and the race.

Other drivers also reported difficulties during FP1, with some struggling to find optimal setup balances on the evolving circuit. The track surface in Montreal often requires time to ‘rubber in’ over the weekend, and the early conditions can be unpredictable, catching even experienced drivers off guard.

The first practice session highlighted just how demanding the Canadian Grand Prix can be, even for the sport’s elite. Both Hamilton and Leclerc are expected to regroup and refocus ahead of the second practice session, where they will look to regain confidence and fine-tune their setups.

As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on how Mercedes and Ferrari respond to these early setbacks. With unpredictable weather often playing a role in Montreal, the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix is already shaping up to be a thrilling and potentially turbulent race weekend.