F1 Canadian GP: Alonso fastest in FP2 before rain hits

Fernando Alonso headlined a wet/dry Formula 1 FP2 session at the Canadian Grand Prix by 0.5s over George Russell, as Max Verstappen was only 18th following a powertrain issue.

The Aston Martin driver spent the majority of the session atop the order with only token interruptions from other drivers, as he found increasing grip despite a light sprinkling of early rain.

In the wake of the hailstorm and downpour that affected FP1, and expected further precipitation predicted by the weather radars, the majority sought to gather soft-tyre running in early on in the session.

A light sprinkling of rain began to fall as the session started; although this did not hinder early improvements as Pierre Gasly set the first time in the 1m20s ballpark, radio traffic appeared to be largely forecast-focused.

Alonso then put his AMR24 on top of the order, which was then beaten by his team-mate Lance Stroll, although the Spaniard continued to improve despite reports that the precipitation was intensifying at the end of the first 20 minutes.

He found more pace with a 1m17.835s, then a 1m16.668s, before Leclerc took control of the session with a 1m16.556s moments after. The Monegasque had earlier been pinged for a stewards' investigation as Ferrari initially sent him out on intermediates before the circuit had been declared wet, and had to pit to correct the error.

Despite the predictions over the weather, the rain continued to hold off and allowed Alonso to resume his tenure at the top as he set a 1m15.810s, closing out the first half-hour with largely interrupted running as the continued running negated the effect of rain.

When the soft-tyre running came to an end, it produced a lengthy hiatus as rain continued to fall. This ensured that, if anyone was going to take to the circuit in the final 20 minutes, they would need intermediate tyres - all but ending the chance that anyone would beat Alonso's time.

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Russell was second fastest after separating the two Aston Martins, leaving Stroll in third place, while Leclerc awaits a verdict on his premature but brief intermediate stint from fourth on the timesheets.

Daniel Ricciardo and Kevin Magnussen took advantage of the conditions to sit fifth and sixth in the times, over Lewis Hamilton and Yuki Tsunoda. Alex Albon and Sergio Perez completed the top 10.

Max Verstappen was left 18th in the overall order when he pitted during his soft-tyre runs, reporting a smoky smell which required attention from the Red Bull mechanics. This was later revealed to be an issue with his energy recovery system.

Lando Norris was bottom of the timesheets, and is also awaiting a stewards' investigation for failing to follow the race director's escape road instructions at the Turn 14 chicane.

F1 Canadian GP FP2 result

1 - 2
Cla	Driver	#	Chassis	Engine	Laps	Time	Interval	km/h
1	F. Alonso Aston Martin Racing	14	Aston Martin	Mercedes	25	1'15.810		207.091
2	G. Russell Mercedes	63	Mercedes	Mercedes	24	+0.463 1'16.273	0.463	205.834
3	L. Stroll Aston Martin Racing	18	Aston Martin	Mercedes	27	+0.654 1'16.464	0.191	205.320
4	C. Leclerc Ferrari	16	Ferrari	Ferrari	24	+0.746 1'16.556	0.092	205.073
5	D. Ricciardo RB	3	RB	Red Bull	23	+0.921 1'16.731	0.175	204.605
6	K. Magnussen Haas F1 Team	20	Haas	Ferrari	15	+0.963 1'16.773	0.042	204.493
7	L. Hamilton Mercedes	44	Mercedes	Mercedes	27	+1.098 1'16.908	0.135	204.134
8	Y. Tsunoda RB	22	RB	Red Bull	22	+1.141 1'16.951	0.043	204.020
9	A. Albon Williams	23	Williams	Mercedes	22	+1.167 1'16.977	0.026	203.951
10	S. Perez Red Bull Racing	11	Red Bull	Red Bull	19	+1.231 1'17.041	0.064	203.782
11	E. Ocon Alpine	31	Alpine	Renault	31	+1.607 1'17.417	0.376	202.792
12	L. Sargeant Williams	2	Williams	Mercedes	22	+1.686 1'17.496	0.079	202.585
13	C. Sainz Ferrari	55	Ferrari	Ferrari	27	+1.912 1'17.722	0.226	201.996
14	V. Bottas Sauber	77	Sauber	Ferrari	21	+2.007 1'17.817	0.095	201.750
15	N. Hulkenberg Haas F1 Team	27	Haas	Ferrari	20	+2.093 1'17.903	0.086	201.527
16	O. Piastri McLaren	81	McLaren	Mercedes	20	+3.198 1'19.008	1.105	198.708
17	Z. Guanyu Sauber	24	Sauber	Ferrari	17	+3.277 1'19.087	0.079	198.510
18	M. Verstappen Red Bull Racing	1	Red Bull	Red Bull	4	+3.501 1'19.311	0.224	197.949
19	P. Gasly Alpine	10	Alpine	Renault	26	+4.979 1'20.789	1.478	194.328
20	L. Norris McLaren	4	McLaren	Mercedes	21	+5.033 1'20.843	0.054	194.198
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