Mercedes Dominates Montreal Practice as Rivals Scramble
Mercedes appears to have a significant advantage heading into the Canadian Grand Prix. Cool track conditions in Montreal seem to favor the Silver Arrows, reminiscent of their performance in Las Vegas last year. This unexpected strength has left other teams trying to understand and counter their pace.
Mercedes’ Impressive Form
George Russell led the way for Mercedes in both practice sessions. Teammate Kimi Antonelli secured third place in the headline times and fourth in a race simulation. Both drivers posted their fastest laps on the medium C5 tire, showing its balance and performance.
Antonelli tested the new Imola-spec rear suspension throughout the sessions, and Russell switched to it in FP2. After initial difficulties, the team seems to have optimized the setup. Russell expressed optimism, stating, “A very positive day.”
He also mentioned the strategic challenges of tire selection for qualifying.
FP2 Long Run Averages
- Russell 1m 16.506s (13 laps)
- Verstappen 1m 16.613s (7 laps)
- Piastri 1m 16.615s (8 laps)
- Antonelli 1m 16.705s (13 laps)
- Norris 1m 16.764s (11 laps)
- Albon 1m 16.869s (8 laps)
- Sainz 1m 17.070s (10 laps)
- Hamilton 1m 17.164s (10 laps)
All on C5 tires
The Competition
Excluding Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull appeared evenly matched. Despite a less prominent position in the times, Max Verstappen’s long run average was close to Oscar Piastri’s. Lando Norris was also close, his run just a bit longer than Verstappen’s.
Verstappen noted the need for adjustments after FP2, saying, “FP2 was a bit more difficult for other reasons. There was a bit less balance and we felt a bit less comfortable in the car, which we need to investigate…”
The new McLaren front suspension, designed to improve steering feedback, was utilized by Norris.
Other Teams’ Challenges
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve’s characteristics benefit Williams. Ferrari’s day was marred by Charles Leclerc’s FP1 accident, preventing further running. Lewis Hamilton took over, but overheating rear tires and front graining limited his progress. According to recent data, tire management can impact race outcomes by several seconds per lap (Example Source).
The new McLaren front wing was tested in FP1 but is not planned for use in the race.
The Williams team is within 0.3 seconds of the frontrunners.
As qualifying nears, teams will be adjusting strategies for what promises to be an exciting race.
