F1 practice LIVE: Canadian Grand Prix updates and times as Max Verstappen goes fastest in FP1
Follow the first practice at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as the build-up to the Canadian Grand Prix continues
Follow live F1 coverage as the Canadian Grand Prix weekend kicks off with free practice sessions one and two in Montreal.
The big news of the week is the FIA’s decision to “reduce or eliminate” porpoising on the advice of its medical team - just days after Lewis Hamilton suffered with severe back pain in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hamilton required assistance to get out of his Mercedes after his car bounced up and down at high speed throughout last Sunday’s race.
Mercedes ran their machines close to the ground in Baku to produce lower downforce. But the move exaggerated the bouncing, and under the FIA’s new technical directive, Mercedes might be required to raise the ride height of their cars which could further slow them down.
At the front of the grid, Max Verstappen will be hoping to extend his lead over chief title rival Charles Leclerc after he took full advantage of the Ferrari driver retiring last weekend with the race victory.
Follow all the latest updates as we build towards this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix:
LAP 10/52: Sainz, Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris
For the time being, Sainz is holding off the Championship leader Verstappen, who is still within DRS.
An update on Alex Albon, meanwhile: he has been transferred to hospital for a precautionary check.
LAP 9/52: Sainz, Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris
Verstappen is gaining on race leader Sainz, now within DRS at 0.7 seconds. “He’s a bit quicker,” Sainz tells his engineer, concerningly.
Leclerc is 1.7 secs behind Verstappen, while Hamilton is five seconds off the Ferrari and Norris four seconds behind the Mercedes.
Action looks set to take place right at the front...
LAP 8/52: Sainz, Verstappen, Leclerc
The front three are relatively spread out now, Hamilton is five seconds behind Leclerc.
Perez, who had to pit for his front wing, all the way down in 16th.
LAP 6/52: Hamilton overtakes Norris!
The Mercedes simply has superior pace and, with DRS, Hamilton overtakes his compatriot on the Wellington straight...
Meanwhile, no further investigation necessary for the incident between Leclerc and Perez.
LAP 6/52: Sainz, Verstappen, Leclerc
Behind the front three, Perez has pitted after he lost something from his car on the opening lap - looks like a new front wing.
Meanwhile, Hamilton is all over the back of Norris... DRS enabled.
LAP 4/52: Sainz, Verstappen, Leclerc
Leclerc’s collision with Perez is under investigation...
LAP 3/52: Leclerc collision!
Another dramatic start!
No serious crash, but Leclerc makes contact with Perez on the loop...
The order is as it was - but Lando Norris has overtaken Lewis Hamilton to jump up to fifth!
The cars are now out for their lap behind the safety car
It will be a standing start. The safety car will enter the pit lane.
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