Formula 1 News: Verstappen tops 2025 GP of Canada Practice 1

Defending World Driving and GP of Canada Max Verstappen turned a lap of 1m13.193s on a dirty Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to top Practice 1 of the 2025 GP of Canada, just over a second slower than last year’s pole time.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Yesterday, all the talk was about McLaren. But today Red Bull have started the strongest while Mclaren sandbags their superior Rob Marshall designed car.

Alex Albon was 2nd fastest for Williams, 0.039s behind Verstappen and just ahead of his Williams teammate Carlos Sainz Jr.

Last year’s polesitter, George Russell in the #63 Mercedes, was 4th, 0.342s behind Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top-5 in his #44 Ferrari after spinning earlier.  He was 0.427s behind Verstappen.

Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc ran out of talent early and crashed in the first chicane, taking off the left front and left rear of his #16 Ferrari.

Here’s the moment Leclerc found the barriers 🎥#F1 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/4S7vQ9odvJ

— Formula 1 (@F1) June 13, 2025

Williams have wasted no time getting back up to speed after their Spanish weekend. James Vowles admitted they were running a different program to many – perhaps lower fuel, higher engine modes. But the important thing is both drivers have built some good confidence here already, second and third a good return from the opening session.

Lando Norris was 7th for McLaren, wile points leader Oscar Piastri was down in 14th in the #81 McLaren, both focussing on race simulations.

2025 GP of Canada Practice 1 Results