Motor Sports
Alonso first after storm in Formula 1 training in Canada
Spaniard Fernando Alonso was the fastest in the free practice session in Montrwal. Photo
© Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press/AP/dpa
World Championship leader Max Verstappen is unable to drive as desired. Technical problems are causing concern for his Red Bull team. The fastest driver in Formula 1 training in Canada is a former world champion.
Veteran Fernando Alonso is on the rainy Formula 1 training day before the Grand Prix of Canada drove the fastest lap. In his Aston Martin, the 42-year-old Spaniard finished in Montreal just under half a second ahead of George Russell in the Mercedes. Third place went to Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin. World champion Max Verstappen had technical problems with the energy recovery system of his Red Bull and was unable to perform as desired. The Dutchman only finished 18th. Nico Hülkenberg drove his Haas racing car to 15th place.
At the start in Canada, the weather dictated the program. An hour before the first training session, it had rained and hailed heavily around the course on the Île Notre-Dame in the St. Lawrence River. The temperature dropped by around 15 degrees amid thunder and lightning. At first it looked as if the first training session would have to be postponed. This did not happen, but the wet track meant that it was not possible to drive fast for a long time. It also rained during the second training session in the afternoon (local time). This meant that driving with dry tires was again not possible without interruption.
Before the ninth race of the season on Sunday (8 p.m./Sky), Verstappen leads the overall World Championship standings with 169 points, ahead of Ferrari star Charles Leclerc (138), who recently triumphed at his home race in Monaco. Third is Briton Lando Norris (113) from McLaren.