Alonso fastest in third free practice at F1 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal
Alpine driver Fernando Alonso braved the rain and funky climate to set the quickest time within the third free apply session of the Canadian Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon.
Alonso set a time of 1 minute 33.836 seconds on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, shaving 53 thousandths of a second off the time set by Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly. Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel was third quickest, two thousandths of a second slower.
Quebec’s Lance Stroll was thirteenth, 1.695 seconds behind the 40-year-old Spaniard. Toronto’s Nicholas Latifi was nineteenth.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton once more had issues together with his Mercedes and completed fifteenth.
Nevertheless, these outcomes needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
Most drivers have been cautious throughout the session, as a light-weight rain continued to fall relentlessly on the observe, making it comparatively slippery.
Groups tried out totally different set-ups, juggling rain and intermediate tires looking for one of the best compromise. Nevertheless, some have been trapped within the corners, resulting in temporary visits off observe.
Max Verstappen (Crimson Bull) and Kevin Magnussen (Haas) had a bit extra of a scare than the others, as their vehicles got here to a halt just some paces from a security barrier on the exit of the Senna ‘S’s, after lengthy slides on the finish of the session.
Climate situations are anticipated to enhance in time for the beginning of qualifying, scheduled for 4 p.m., however Mom Nature might have some surprises in retailer.
One factor is for certain, nevertheless, Charles Leclerc won’t be ranging from the entrance of the grid for the race on Sunday.
His staff, Ferrari, has gone again on its determination to switch sure elements of the automotive’s engine, preferring to switch it fully. Because of this, the Monegasque driver will begin behind the sphere, alongside Alpha Tauri driver Yuki Tsunoda, who has been punished for a similar causes.
Leclerc, who didn’t document a time within the third free apply session, won’t be able so as to add to his spectacular document of six pole positions this season.
Verstappen and his Crimson Bull teammate Sergio Perez have shared the opposite two prime positions this season.
The Dutchman, the reigning world champion, dominated the primary two free apply periods on Friday.
Verstappen leads the general standings with 150 factors, 21 greater than his teammate Perez. Leclerc follows in third place on 116, whereas all different drivers on the grid are beneath 100 factors.
Hamilton is the defending Canadian Grand Prix champion. The Montreal occasion was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed in French on June 18, 2022.
