In the third free practice at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Lando Norris makes the most impression heading towards the qualification. The McLaren driver finishes the session with the fastest time, while Max Verstappen only manages to reach the fifth position. Nico Hülkenberg causes a red flag after he kisses the infamous Wall of Champions.
The third free practice for the Grand Prix of Canada begins under sunny conditions in Montréal. At the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the teams are preparing for the qualification later today. Although this is the last moment when adjustments can be made to the car’s settings, it does not immediately lead to much action on the track as soon as the light turns green.
Charles Leclerc is one of the first to hit the asphalt. He can finally take his place in his Ferrari again after he had to miss the second training session. The Monegasque crashed in the first session in Canada, causing his mechanics to work overtime. The Ferrari driver is immediately fast and is at the top of the time list after a quarter of an hour. Small side note: the rest of the top drivers have not yet set a time at that moment.
Wall of Champions
The session does not go without incidents. After Franco Colapinto barely keeps his Alpine out of the infamous Wall of Champions, Piastri kisses the wall in his McLaren. With some damage, the Australian can continue his way to the pit box. Then Nico Hülkenberg loses control of his car just before the infamous wall, but miraculously manages to keep the Stake F1 on the asphalt. However, there are some pieces of carbon on the track, which causes a brief red flag.
Max Verstappen only appears on the track after the red flag when there are only 32 minutes left. The Dutchman complains about the brakes of the RB20 and cannot make a fist. Mercedes, on the other hand, picks up where it left off on Friday and George Russell sets the fastest time. Lewis Hamilton also reports at the front of the pecking order on the circuit where he has started from pole position no less than six times.
In the last part of the session, Norris squeezes out another lightning-fast lap and relegates Russell to second place. Leclerc also takes a good seat and moves up to the second time at the expense of the Brit. Verstappen does not get further than the fifth position.
