Hamilton Shocks In Canada: Outpaces Verstappen and Russell in Final Practice

The Canadian Grand Prix's final practice session delivered unexpected excitement, with Lewis Hamilton topping the timesheets, outpacing close rival Max Verstappen and his own teammate George Russell. In sunny and warm conditions, a welcome departure from the previous day's rain, Hamilton clocked a blistering 1:12.549, showcasing the formidable speed of his Mercedes under optimal conditions.

A Thrilling Session Under Improved Conditions

Friday's practice runs had been a washout, leaving all eyes on the skies for Saturday's session. Fortunately, the weather improved significantly, allowing drivers to push their machines to the limit on slick tires for the first time. The bright and warm atmosphere at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve set the perfect stage for what would become a gripping final practice.

With the threat of rain looming for both the qualifying session later on Saturday and Sunday's race, teams utilized this dry window to gather crucial data. Despite the improved weather, the weekend's forecast remained unpredictable, with the potential for intermediate and wet tires to make a return.

Verstappen Battles Technical Issues

Max Verstappen's practice runs were marred by technical difficulties that had plagued his car on Friday. Eager to maximize his track time, the Dutchman was among the first to hit the track. However, an early scare at the final chicane saw Verstappen struggle with control under braking, forcing him to take to the run-off area and bounce over the orange kerbs. On the radio, Verstappen expressed frustration with his car's steering, describing it as 'super weird.'

Despite these issues, Verstappen managed to put in a competitive time, though it was still four-tenths of a second slower than Hamilton's, settling for second place. He continued to grapple with his car's stability, even tapping the infamous 'Wall of Champions' during his run.

Russell and Others Push Limits

George Russell, driving the second Mercedes, also put in a strong performance, finishing just a few hundredths behind Verstappen. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll led Aston Martin's charge, securing fourth position. McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were also in fine form, sandwiching Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in the middle of the timesheet.

Notably, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari struggled to replicate their earlier pace, ending up in 10th and 12th places respectively. Leclerc's frustrations were evident as he questioned the drastic drop in performance from the first day of practice.

Dramatic Spins and Near Misses

The session wasn't without its dramatic moments. Zhou Guanyu of Kick Sauber spun at the exit of the first corner, hitting the barriers and triggering a red flag. It marked his second practice session disruption in as many days. Williams' Logan Sargeant faced tricky traffic conditions, expressing his annoyance over the radio, while Haas' Alex Albon had a close encounter with the Wall of Champions, resulting in suspension damage.

As the session concluded and drivers prepared for the upcoming qualifying rounds, Hamilton's formidable pace set a high bar. The all-important qualifying session was slated to kick off at 1600 local time, with rain potentially shaking up the order once again. Stay tuned to the RACE HUB for all the latest updates from Montreal.