Lando Norris turned the tide for McLaren in the final practice session ahead of Saturday’s Canadian Grand Prix qualifying, clocking an impressive 1m11.799s to top the timesheets.
After a dismal Friday that Norris dubbed McLaren’s “worst of the year,” the Brit bounced back with authority, leading a tight and competitive field.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc followed closely in second as he redeemed himself after his crash in FP1, with Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton rounding out the top four, setting the stage for an electrifying qualifying at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
The session wasn’t without its share of drama. Championship leader Oscar Piastri, Norris’ McLaren teammate, encountered a heart-stopping moment when he clipped the infamous “Wall of Champions” at the final corner.
While his car survived the moment, the incident caused a right rear puncture, forcing a red flag to clear debris. Piastri limped back to the pits but couldn’t recover, finishing a modest eighth.
Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg showcased quick reflexes, spinning his Sauber out of the final chicane but avoiding the wall, while Haas’ Oliver Bearman also grazed the barriers later on.
Max Verstappen secured fifth place for Red Bull, with Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin the final car within half a second of Norris’ benchmark.
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli held seventh, followed by Piastri, while Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon completed the top 10.
The field leaned heavily on the soft C6 tyres in the final practice session, with Leclerc initially setting the pace on mediums before everyone switched to the faster compound.
Further down, Isack Hadjar spun late but managed 11th, ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson. Yuki Tsunoda endured another forgettable session, finishing last and facing a red flag infringement probe.
Despite the incidents, the session highlighted a tight battle, with tyre strategy and driver skill poised to shape this afternoon’s crucial grid-defining session. Fans are buzzing as the 2025 season’s intensity ramps up in Montreal!
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