CCTV issue shuts down FP1 in Montreal - FP2 extended

A local CCTV issue forced the shutdown of FP1 in Montreal just minutes into the session, leaving teams with practically no running at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Alfa Romeo's Valtteri Bottas topped the shortened session ahead of Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Canadian's teammate Fernand Alonso.

A red flag was deployed almost at the outset when Alpine's Pierre Gasly found himself with no drive on the exit of Turn 8.

But during the neutralization, the local CCTV system broke down, forcing an extension of the red flag conditions.

However, the problem proved more severe than anticipated, which prolonged the delay and prompted the FIA to state:

"The delay will be longer as the CCTV is not synced correctly and until the issue has been fixed we cannot run on track," stated the governing body.

"This system is a local installation and they are continuing to work to resolve the problem. The clock will continue to run down on FP1 and the session won’t be extended as there must be 2.5hrs between FP1 and FP2. We are looking at options to extend FP2."

As the issue remained unresolved, the FIA issued a second and final update in which it stated that the session would not be resumed.

However, it has been decided that an extra 30 minutes will be added to FP2 later today, with the session starting 30 minutes earlier than planned, or at 16h30 local time, but running for 90 minutes.

2023 Canadian Grand Prix - Free Practice 1 results

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