Hamilton Leads the Way in Dramatic Canadian Grand Prix Practice Session

Lewis Hamilton showcased his prowess by setting the pace in a thrilling final practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The session saw Max Verstappen and George Russell closely trailing the Mercedes driver in an intense showdown on the track.

Amidst improved weather conditions following rain-hit sessions earlier in the weekend, drivers eagerly ventured out for slick-tyre running. Verstappen faced early challenges with his car’s steering, while Zhou Guanyu encountered a spin that brought out a red flag.

As the session progressed, the track evolved, and lap times tumbled. Hamilton, a dominant force in Canada, posted a blistering time of 1m 12.549s to lead the pack, with Verstappen and Russell not far behind.

Home favorite Lance Stroll impressed in fourth place for Aston Martin, with McLaren‘s Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo in the mix. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez struggled as Red Bull’s pace dipped.

Ferrari, led by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, faced challenges, while Valtteri Bottas fought for position in his Kick Sauber. Williams’ Logan Sargeant expressed frustration over traffic encounters late in the session.

Despite incidents like Albon’s brush with the barriers, the session provided a taste of the competitive spirit ahead of qualifying. Hamilton’s dominance sets the stage for an electrifying battle in Montreal.