Formula 1: Two red phases in Canada training: Mercedes unbeatable

In third place, record world champion Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari was 0.774 seconds behind Antonelli. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was almost a second slower in fifth place in the Red Bull, while defending champion Lando Norris was almost 1.4 seconds slower in sixth place in the McLaren. Nico Hülkenberg, the only German driver, came ninth in the Audi – over 2.2 seconds behind.

No tailor-made training

The hour-long session had to be interrupted twice. Initially Liam Lawson from the Racing Bulls stopped with his car, later Williams driver Alexander Albon misjudged. His wrecked car also had to be towed away. The race management therefore decided to add 15 minutes.

On a Grand Prix weekend with sprint races, the drivers and teams don’t have many opportunities to adapt themselves and the car to the track. Just three hours after the end of free practice, the qualification for the sprint is still to come this evening (10:30 p.m. CEST/Sky).

The shortened race continues on Saturday, followed by qualification for the Grand Prix on Sunday. The fact that rain and temperatures of around 10 degrees are forecast for the main race makes preparations more difficult.

After three wins in a row, Antonelli leads the World Cup standings with 100 points ahead of opening winner Russell (80). The Silver Arrows also have a larger update package on the car for the Canada weekend.