LIVE Coverage: 2025 F1 Canadian Grand Prix Free Practice 2 Action

Max Verstappen set the pace during the first free practice session at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, staying ahead of both Williams drivers in an early surprise.

The session, held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, featured changing grip levels, which saw several drivers struggle to keep their cars under control.

With the track surface offering little traction, mistakes were common, and lap times were slower than expected. Despite these setbacks, teams expect quicker laps as grip improves in the second practice session.

McLaren chose not to show their full potential in the opening session, keeping their strategies under wraps while other teams pushed for early times. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have both been strong contenders so far this season, and their team’s strategy in Canada is being watched closely.

In the driver standings, Piastri leads with 186 points, while Norris follows with 176, making McLaren the top team with a combined total of 362 points. Red Bull and Ferrari are next, holding 144 and 165 points, respectively.

A major incident affected Ferrari’s campaign when Charles Leclerc crashed out within the first 15 minutes of FP1, leaving his car badly damaged and forcing him to withdraw from the second session. This means only 19 drivers will compete in Free Practice 2. Ferrari must now undertake a challenging repair job to prepare Leclerc’s car for the rest of the weekend.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, sitting third in the championship with 137 points, demonstrated his consistent pace, topping FP1 despite pressure on and off the track. Williams, with drivers Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz, found themselves unexpectedly quick, signaling potential for a strong qualifying run.

Both the teams and fans are keeping a close eye on whether the early gains seen in FP1 carry over into the next sessions as the teams adjust settings and tire choices.

With the 2025 calendar progressing, the Canadian Grand Prix represents the latest challenge for drivers after several intense races. The field will next move to the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring on June 29, followed by the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 6.

For now, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve remains a key test, and the upcoming practice and qualifying sessions will offer more data as teams search for the right setup for Sunday’s race.

There have already been notable headlines this week, including a reported argument between Max Verstappen and a reporter, and Martin Brundle’s comments about possible penalties for Verstappen after incidents earlier in the season.

Other news involves upgrades from McLaren, who have brought a new aerodynamic package, and potential grid penalties for Liam Lawson.

As Free Practice 2 begins, everyone is watching how quickly drivers adapt to the improving track conditions. Fans can expect changing leaderboards, new insights into team strategies, and a better idea of who might be in contention for pole position.

The action on track continues to be unpredictable, and all attention is focused on how the top teams will respond to today’s challenges. For team perspectives on Verstappen’s performance, Christian Horner and Nico Rosberg recently shared their views in a detailed claim about Verstappen’s form.