Mercedes are on the pace in Canada

Mercedes expected the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and the cooler conditions would suit their car. Those predictions were borne out on the first day of practice.

Teams’ 2024 performance in context

Last year’s race was a particularly strong one for Mercedes and a particularly poor one for Ferrari. Red Bull and McLaren’s pace was typical of their 2024 form. George Russell and Max Verstappen set identical lap times in qualifying as they shared the front row of the grid, though both Mercedes drivers lapped quicker earlier in the session.

Teams’ progress vs 2024

Although Nico Hulkenberg’s fifth place in the Spanish Grand Prix owed a lot to how the Safety Car played into his hands, Sauber were also encouraged by the performance of the upgrade package they introduced. Friday’s running in Canada gave them more cause for optimism as the C45 set promising lap times from the start.

In contrast, while Ferrari’s pace shows a slight improvement compared to last year, that needs to be seen in light of the fact they were especially poor at this track 12 months ago. Lewis Hamilton was the quickest non-Mercedes-powered driver but only eighth at the end of the day.

Teams’ 2024 and 2025 times

Red Bull and McLaren’s performance appears to fit into the usual pattern. Verstappen was some way off the pace on Friday but many times this year that has proved the precursor to a stronger performance on Saturday. The key question will be whether his team mate Yuki Tsunoda can also find more from his car and ensure both Red Bulls reach Q3.

First and second practice times

Friday’s practice will have left Mercedes entertaining hopes of a repeat of the pole position Russell claimed at the track last year.

“This was one of our more positive Fridays from a pace point of view,” said trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin. “We expected the track to be better suited to our car than some recent circuits, with the cooler conditions helping on the long run too.”

P.#DriverTeamFP1 timeFP2 timeGapLaps
163George RussellMercedes1’13.5351’12.12362
24Lando NorrisMcLaren-Mercedes1’13.6511’12.1510.02862
312Andrea Kimi AntonelliMercedes1’14.0021’12.4110.28863
423Alexander AlbonWilliams-Mercedes1’13.2321’12.4450.32264
514Fernando AlonsoAston Martin-Mercedes1’13.9721’12.4580.33556
681Oscar PiastriMcLaren-Mercedes1’14.1981’12.5620.43960
755Carlos Sainz JnrWilliams-Mercedes1’13.2751’12.6310.50868
844Lewis HamiltonFerrari1’13.6201’12.6530.53064
91Max VerstappenRed Bull-Honda RBPT1’13.1931’12.6660.54359
1030Liam LawsonRacing Bulls-Honda RBPT1’13.7371’12.7510.62860
116Isack HadjarRacing Bulls-Honda RBPT1’13.6311’12.7990.67662
1210Pierre GaslyAlpine-Renault1’13.8171’12.8740.75163
135Gabriel BortoletoSauber-Ferrari1’14.3241’12.8960.77362
1427Nico HulkenbergSauber-Ferrari1’14.8211’12.9140.79161
1522Yuki TsunodaRed Bull-Honda RBPT1’13.9271’12.9390.81662
1687Oliver BearmanHaas-Ferrari1’14.5201’13.0800.95766
1731Esteban OconHaas-Ferrari1’14.6051’13.1751.05256
1816Charles LeclercFerrari1’13.8851.7629
1943Franco ColapintoAlpine-Renault1’14.6451’13.8981.77562
2018Lance StrollAston Martin-Mercedes1’14.203No time2.08027

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