Max Verstappen has clocked the ninth fastest time in the second free practice for the Grand Prix of Canada. The Red Bull driver set his fastest time on the medium tires. This was also the case for George Russell, who was the fastest in Montreal with a 1.12.123.
Russell and Verstappen, along with Alexander Albon (Williams), were the only ones in the top ten who did not drive their fastest time on the super soft C6 tire. The other drivers did drive their fastest time on it, but it was not easy. Pirelli’s new tire remains a concern, causing considerable sliding on the Canadian asphalt.
Lando Norris was one of those drivers, with a McLaren that was already struggling in the first practice. Nevertheless, Norris was almost as fast as Russell. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, in the second Mercedes, gave up two tenths and finished third.
McLaren is less dominant than in recent weeks on Friday. For example, World Championship leader Oscar Piastri did not get past sixth place. Lewis Hamilton was eighth for Ferrari, which did not see Charles Leclerc participate at all. The Monegasque crashed in the first practice and damaged his car so much that he had to watch from the sidelines in the second practice.
Lance Stroll crashed in the second practice. The home driver drove his Aston Martin into the wall, breaking off his left front wheel. The Canadian could no longer return to the pits.
In the second part of the free practice, the drivers started working on their race simulations. Verstappen, who clocked the fastest time in the first practice, performed well. He drove similar times to the McLaren drivers.
