Lando Norris is the fastest driver in the first practice session of the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix. Norris set a time of 1:24.435. This session was marked with variable weather conditions that went from a heavy hailstorm effect into a sun-filled ending stages of the session.
The session was ‘de facto’ and ran for 40 minutes only as race control closed the pit-lane exit for the first 20 minutes due to bad weather.
Dramatic weather shift at Canadian GP loosens up to start a session
30 minutes away from the start of Friday’s afternoon action at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit was under threat of a heavy hailstorm that hit the track.
Commentary boxes were mostly under attack with a severe water leak, however, 15 minutes later, the weather started to clear, and chances for the FP1 to start increased.
Official Formula 1 news announced that the session will go as planned with the timer ticking off the time but pitlane will be closed, thus disabling drivers from exiting onto a track.
Track marshalls are actively working on drying a track and clearing out standing water on a newly resurfaced tarmac.
In the meantime, let’s quickly recap all the news that preceded the Canadian GP.
The strongest candidate for the Ocon’s seat, Jack Doohan is awaiting his FP1 outing for the Alpine
10 minutes into the session, the rain started to increase once again and both Safety and Medical Car cruised around a track to evaluate track conditions.
Back straight is covered with a great amount of grass that was carried by a strong gust of wind.
The session is still far from the start as Safety and Medical Car went through a fair amount of water in strong braking zones at Turns 1 and 2.
Official Race control estimates that the pit exit will be opened at 13:51 local time and WE GO GREEN.
‘Silly Season’ puts a few stickers and new regulations announced
On Monday Esteban Ocon and Alpine mutually decided to end their 4-year ties amid shaky relationships that especially tumbled down after a crash with teammate Pierre Gasly at Monaco GP. Former F2 driver Jack Doohan is tipped as the strongest candidate for Ocon’s seat in 2025.
Sergio Perez renewed with Red Bull on a new 2-year-long contract. On the other hand, Yuki Tsunoda is set to stay for his fifth season in the RB F1 team whilst teammate Ricciardo’s fate is in big doubt.
A day before Canadian GP, Formula 1 published a list of new regulations for the 2026 season which most notably brings back a return of a 2019 style of a rear wing, narrower car, and the introduction of a controversial ‘active aero’ which is expected to step into the role of DRS.
Session is underway
With 37 minutes to go, Lewis Hamilton is the first driver out on track with an Intermediate set of tires.
Albeit the weather seems to be clear in the direction of the sky, Hamilton’s W13 is leaving a substantial amount of water behind.
Grip is very low.
Lewis Hamilton with 34 minutes to go at the FP1
Hamilton’s deployment out on track couraged the likes of both Sauber and Haas drivers and the most recent ‘maiden race winner’ Lando Norris.
Lando Norris is on the ‘hot-lap’ on a wet set of tires. Albeit a two-purple sector, Briton ditches a lap and heads into the pitlane for the set of fresh ‘inters’.
The grip feels ok so far, I think it is going to dry quickly.
Oscar Piastri with 30 minutes to go.
Halfway into the session, Sauber’s Bottas leads with a lap time of 1:33.215. The other two drivers to set a valid lap time are Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
In the meantime, drivers seem to go out in teamwork to create a dry racing line but the plan fails.
Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu loses control into turn 5 and race control calls out for the red flag.
Chinese’s damage seems to be slight albeit the front left suspension is damaged after contact with the barrier.
Yeah I lost a little bit the car. Yeah aquaplanning man.
Zhou Guanyu after a contact in turn 5.
‘Green-black’ car is quickly dispatched and on-track conditions are allowed once again. Sun has come above the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit as the minor dry line seems that it will appear as the session comes to its end.
Variable conditions as the session closes
Lewis Hamilton takes the lead ahead of Sainz, Tsunoda, and Gasly on evolved track conditions. Briton has set a time of 1:29.207 as his future teammate Charles Leclerc goes 2 tenths shy of Hamilton’s time.
Next lap Leclerc goes purple in all three sectors and takes the lead from his current and future teammates with a lap of 1:27.560.
Carlos Sainz sets a payback on his teammate and regains a lead with a lap time of 1:27.485.
Dry line is now much more visible and personally, there seems to be a chance of seeing a first set time on tires for dry conditions.
Drivers are preparing to go on a track for one last time on dry tires and a well-established dry line.
Charles Leclerc is the first one out on track on a red-branded soft tire.
5-minute shoot-out in a dry conditions
Leclerc’s first ‘flying lap’ is aborted after a horrendous ‘sector 1’ which still has an insufficient amount of dry line which compromised the Monegasque driver of a quicker lap time.
The same fate follows both Norris and Piastri who cannot improve on their current lap times.
Last-second times tumble down and times are dropping massively, Leclerc goes quickest but is soon dispatched by a Lando Norris.
Max Verstappen is only 5th and Sainz gets a second from Leclerc.
Leclerc’s flying lap was to some extent canceled after RB’s driver particularly blocked Ferrari’s driver.
Valtteri Bottas did a spectacular spin in the turn 8 and has barely avoided a trip into the barriers.
In the end, McLaren’s Lando Norris goes quickest in the ‘last-seconds frenzy’ on a dry condition ahead of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.