OTTAWA — Mercedes’ championship leader Kimi Antonelli was fastest in sole practice for the Canadian Grand Prix sprint as the team made a strong start with their first major upgrade package of the Formula One season.
The 19-year-old Italian, chasing a fourth win in a row, lapped the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a best time of one minute 13.402 seconds in bright sunshine and cool conditions, Reuters reported.
Teammate George Russell, last year’s winner in Montreal and seeking to regain momentum after Antonelli’s sizzling start to the season, was second fastest and 0.142 slower.
The Briton ended his session with a spin at turn two and glanced against the barrier, bringing out yellow flags.
Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was third fastest, ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, with Red Bull’s four-time champion Max Verstappen fifth.
McLaren’s reigning champion Lando Norris was sixth fastest, with teammate Oscar Piastri seventh.
The 60-minute session, the only practice before sprint qualifying later on Friday, was interrupted by three red flags and then extended to make up for lost track time.
Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson stopped on track after losing power steering nine minutes into the session, causing the first stoppage.
