The 2025 Formula 1 season continues to deliver drama, and the opening practice session of the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix FP1 was no exception. Max Verstappen led the timesheets in a closely contested session that saw Williams deliver a shock result and Ferrari face setbacks.
Early Drama and Yellow Flags
The session started with a few bumps. Franco Colapinto spun his Alpine at Turn 2, bringing out a brief yellow flag. Lewis Hamilton then set the early pace for Ferrari, only to be quickly dethroned by Verstappen, who went fastest on his first flyer with the C6 Soft tyres.
Despite his early time, Verstappen reported issues with the steering, saying it felt “very heavy.” Moments later, Kimi Antonelli ran wide at Turn 6, citing rear locking issues. Then came a significant incident, Charles Leclerc brushed the Turn 4 barriers hard after locking up, bringing his session to an abrupt end.
Power and Precision from the Front
Verstappen, despite his complaints, returned to the top of the table with a 1:13.863. But as the track evolved, George Russell surged to the top with a 1:13.535. The Mercedes driver briefly looked set to hold the session’s fastest time.
That didn’t last long. Carlos Sainz put Williams on top with a stunning lap. However, Verstappen wasn’t done. He came back out and laid down a 1:13.193, reclaiming P1 with style. Sainz’s teammate, Alex Albon, also delivered a flying lap, finishing just 0.039s behind Verstappen to slot into second.
Williams Steals the Spotlight
Williams surprised many with their performance. Both Albon and Sainz showed excellent pace and composure. Their one-lap speed underlined how much progress the team has made in 2025. With both drivers in the top three, expectations are rising heading into qualifying.
Behind the top trio, Russell settled into fourth, followed by Hamilton in fifth. Isack Hadjar impressed for Racing Bulls with sixth place. Lando Norris, though struggling with balance, held seventh.
McLaren and Ferrari Face Challenges
McLaren had a mixed session. Norris experienced several off-track moments and handling issues. His teammate Oscar Piastri, who leads the championship, finished a lowly 14th and looked uncomfortable throughout.
Ferrari’s session was a tale of two halves. Hamilton stayed consistent in the top five, but Leclerc’s crash left the team with repair work ahead of FP2.
The Full Standings Snapshot
Verstappen topped the session with a 1:13.193. Albon trailed by just 0.039s, followed by Sainz at 0.082s behind the leader. Russell and Hamilton rounded out the top five. Racing Bulls, McLaren, and Alpine drivers populated the midfield, while Sauber and Haas brought up the rear.
The times were tight throughout the field, with less than 1.7 seconds separating first and last. With the track still evolving, there’s every chance for more surprises to come in FP2.
Summary
The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix FP1 session delivered everything from top-tier pace to unexpected performances and dramatic crashes. Verstappen may have claimed the fastest time, but Williams stole headlines with their close pursuit. With McLaren and Ferrari looking to rebound, the weekend promises plenty of action ahead.
Disclaimer: All session times and driver performances are based on the latest available data and may be subject to change.