In a dramatic turn of events during Montreal’s free practice two, Charles Leclerc found himself summoned by the stewards due to a potential rule infringement. The Ferrari driver may have improperly fitted wet intermediate tires because the FIA, despite the pouring rain, had not yet officially declared the session wet. This oversight led to considerable confusion as Race Control initially labeled the track dry, only to reverse its decision after several laps.
The unpredictable weather in Montreal played a significant role on Friday, leaving the track conditions in a grey area between dry and intermediate. Leclerc, along with Ferrari, decided to go for the intermediate tires given the rainfall. According to regulations, this move isn’t permissible unless the session is declared wet by Race Control. Consequently, Leclerc was called in to explain the team’s decision to the stewards, with the outcome still pending.
Amidst this chaos, Fernando Alonso showcased his expertise in wet conditions, topping the time sheets in the second practice session with a lap time of 1:15.810 seconds, significantly ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell. Alonso’s performance contrasted sharply with his 15th place finish in the rain-affected first practice, illustrating his ability to capitalize on the shifting conditions.
In other news, Williams’ boss James Vowles publicly suggested that it should be an ‘easy decision’ for Carlos Sainz to join their team. The outgoing Ferrari driver, who has three Grand Prix wins under his belt and is without a contract for 2025, has been in talks with the new Audi F1 project. However, Sainz seems hesitant, recognizing that Audi’s competitiveness could be years away, especially as he is in his prime career years.
Max Verstappen also faced issues during the second practice session. The reigning world champion reported smelling smoke and had to return to the pit lane, where his car was subsequently cordoned off due to an ERS issue. Red Bull confirmed that Verstappen would not be able to continue for the remainder of the session, casting a shadow over his weekend prospects in Canada. Notably, Verstappen had taken a new power unit for this race, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Mercedes’ technical director, James Allison, has stirred the pot by suggesting that a recent Red Bull upgrade might have actually been a downgrade. While Red Bull clinched four out of the first five races, they have only managed one win in the last three, struggling particularly in Monaco and Imola. These comments add tension to the ongoing rivalry between the two teams.
Meanwhile, former driver Daniel Ricciardo has come under intense scrutiny at Alfa Tauri, with questions arising about his place in F1. Critics argue it’s been years of making excuses for Ricciardo while the expected results have failed to materialize. As one critic put it, ‘If you can’t cut it, go home, there’s someone else to take your place. That’s how it’s always been in racing.’
Adding to the drama, Max Verstappen has described the recent Monaco Grand Prix as a ‘wake-up call’ for Red Bull. He criticized the team’s car performance over kerbs and bumps, which prevented him from securing a podium finish, a rare lapse for the dominant team this season. Verstappen’s blunt assessment of the situation indicates there may be more internal challenges for Red Bull ahead.
The Friday practice sessions in Montreal have set the stage for a potentially tumultuous Canadian Grand Prix, with controversies, standout performances, and technical issues all coming to the fore. As teams and drivers gear up for race day, the fallout from these events is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
