Montreal, Canada – During the qualifying session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Zhou Guanyu faced a challenging start as he lost control of his car and crashed into the barriers, prompting a red flag. Despite his struggles, the remaining drivers quickly resumed their efforts on a mix of Pirelli’s medium and hard compounds. Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso led the charge, setting impressive lap times early on in the session, surpassing the previous day’s benchmark.
Midway through the session, with the introduction of soft tires, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc showcased their speed, clocking competitive lap times in the mid-1m 13s range. Leclerc, however, reported concerns about his car’s handling and braking during his runs. As the session neared its end, a final push on soft tires saw Alex Albon make contact with the infamous ‘Wall of Champions.’
Hamilton, a dominant force in Canada with multiple pole positions and victories, secured the fastest time of the day with a lap of 1m 12.549s. Verstappen trailed closely behind, encountering some challenges with his car’s stability and a brush with the Wall of Champions. George Russell followed in third place, a few fractions of a second behind Verstappen.
The qualifying session showcased the fierce competition and drama that characterize Formula 1 racing, with drivers pushing the limits of their cars to secure the best possible starting position for the upcoming race. The performances of Hamilton, Verstappen, and Russell hint at an intense battle for victory in the Canadian Grand Prix, promising an exciting race day for fans around the world.