2025 F1 Canadian Grand Prix: Exciting Free Practice 1 Results

Max Verstappen made a strong impression during Free Practice 1 for the 2025 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Dutch driver, racing for Red Bull, set the fastest time of the session with a lap of 1 minute 13.193 seconds on the C6 compound tyre.

Verstappen, who has claimed victory in each of the last three Canadian races, built early momentum as he started the Montreal weekend. His lap was enough to keep him ahead of a close field.

Williams enjoyed a positive session as well, with Alex Albon taking second place. His teammate Carlos Sainz followed closely in third.

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The top three drivers were separated by just 0.082 seconds, highlighting the tight competition among the front-runners. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton completed the top five, with Russell finishing fourth and Hamilton close behind in fifth.

McLaren’s Lando Norris placed seventh, while his teammate Oscar Piastri ended the session in 14th.

Not everything went smoothly during the opening practice. After 15 minutes, a red flag was shown when Charles Leclerc crashed his Ferrari into the barriers. The incident caused significant damage to Leclerc’s car and disrupted the flow of the session for several teams. Leclerc’s early exit left Ferrari with work to do ahead of the later sessions. Ferrari

The current standings in the 2025 season continue to show a strong competition among teams and drivers. Oscar Piastri leads the championship for McLaren with 186 points, followed by Lando Norris at 176 and Max Verstappen at 137.

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George Russell sits fourth with 111 points, and Charles Leclerc is fifth with 94. McLaren also holds the lead in the team standings with a total of 362 points, well ahead of Ferrari, which has 165.

This session marks the first on-track action for a weekend that traditionally brings unpredictable weather and excitement. The Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve remains a favorite on the calendar for fans and drivers alike.

Key performances in practice often preview the challenges and surprises that may unfold in the race and qualifying. The weekend schedule continues, with teams aiming to gather as much data as possible for optimal car setup.

All eyes will be on Ferrari to see how they recover from Leclerc’s crash, and whether Verstappen can convert another strong start into race success. As Free Practice 2 approaches, anticipation grows for more close times and potential surprises on the streets of Montreal, particularly involving Verstappen and Russell, whose past incidents add an extra layer of intrigue.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.