F1 Canadian GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 & FP2
Friday's action from the ninth round of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
F1 returns to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve where all eyes will be on Red Bull and how the RB20 is able to ride the kerbs after Max Verstappen conceded that finding a fix would 'take time'.
With McLaren and Ferrari noticeably closing the points gap in both the drivers' and constructors' championships, the Montreal race presents a chance to add further pressure to current leaders, Red Bull.
FP1 starts at 18:30 BST (13:30 local time) followed by FP2 at 22:00 BST (17:00 local time).
Live Text
The Red Bull mechanics have got the dentist drill out on Verstappen's car and get to work underneath the sidepod.
Everyone is still in the garages, hoping for this rain to pass, in order to use the final 20 minutes for some high fuel running.
Right on cue, Ocon heads out on the intermediates to test out conditions. It is definitely wet again - not as bad as the start of FP1, but it is drifting towards that way.
Ocon, who missed the earlier wet running with Doohan in his car on FP1 rookie duties, is joined by Alonso, Stroll and Norris who are all on intermediate tyres.
Plenty of track action once again, with everyone on the intermediates. Meanwhile, Norris has been put under investigation for failing to take to the escape road at the final corner from earlier in the session.
Leclerc slides into a 180-degree spin at the hairpin but he styles it out by turning it into a doughnut to get himself facing the right way again. He's a Monaco GP winner now, he can do stuff like that.
Red Bull has confirmed an ERS fault on Verstappen's car which has put him out of the session.
"Can this Ferrari get out of the way? Again! Every single day," Albon laments over team radio, as he has to back out at the final chicane to avoid a clash.
The track is drying out again, not enough for slick tyres yet, but are very close to the crossover point.
Into the closing stages and it is nowhere near dry enough to challenge the best lap times, so Alonso's leading effort is safe for this session.
But this session has been very useful for the drivers to learn the resurfaced track and how it changes in the differing conditions - we've had it all today!
So, Alonso takes top spot in FP2, almost half a second faster than Russell. Then comes Stroll, Leclerc and Ricciardo.
A good day for both Aston Martin drivers, but a difficult one for Verstappen. How will it play out over the rest of the weekend?
Here's the full report on FP2, as Alonso went quickest before the rain arrived.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
With that, we'll call time on this live coverage of the Canadian GP Friday running. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check back in tomorrow for final practice at 5:30pm BST and qualifying at 9pm BST. Until then, go well!
By: Autosport Staff
