The familiar symphony of Formula 1 engines returned to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve today as Max Verstappen reminded everyone why he remains the driver to beat in the 2025 season. Under overcast Montreal skies that threatened rain but never delivered, the Dutch champion set the pace in the first practice session of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend with characteristic precision.
Verstappen’s Red Bull looked planted through the circuit’s demanding chicanes, posting a fastest lap of 1:14.246 that left his closest competitors searching for answers. The three-time world champion navigated Montreal’s challenging layout with the confidence we’ve come to expect, particularly impressive through the final chicane where many drivers struggled with the low-grip surface.
“The car feels good so far, but it’s only Friday,” Verstappen told reporters after the session. “We’ve made some adjustments since Miami that seem to be working well here, but we know how quickly things can change in Formula 1. The weather forecast looks unpredictable for qualifying, so there’s still plenty of work to do.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished second, just 0.321 seconds behind Verstappen, suggesting the Italian team may have found something in their recent upgrade package. Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz rounded out the top three, hinting at Ferrari’s potential to challenge for pole position on Saturday if they can find those crucial few tenths overnight.
McLaren, who have shown tremendous pace in recent races, seemed to struggle slightly with Montreal’s bumpy surface. Lando Norris managed fourth fastest while teammate Oscar Piastri had a more challenging session, briefly venturing off track at Turn 4 and finishing seventh overall.
The real surprise came from Aston Martin, with Fernando Alonso demonstrating that age remains just a number as the 43-year-old veteran placed fifth. The Spaniard, who has always excelled on technical circuits requiring precision, seemed rejuvenated by recent upgrades to his AMR25.
“Montreal has always been special to me,” said Alonso, who claimed his first F1 victory here back in 2006. “The track rewards bravery and precision, and today we showed we have good potential for the weekend.”
Lewis Hamilton, seeking his eighth Canadian Grand Prix victory to extend his record at this track, finished sixth as Mercedes continues to work through the balance issues that have plagued their season. His teammate George Russell ended the session in ninth, complaining of unpredictable rear-end behavior through the high-speed sections.
The session wasn’t without drama. Williams rookie Franco Colapinto brought out brief yellow flags after locking up into the final chicane and narrowly avoiding the infamous “Wall of Champions.” The Argentine recovered well but will be looking to build confidence in the second practice session.
Local hero Lance Stroll gave Canadian fans something to cheer about with a solid eighth place in the other Aston Martin, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly completed the top ten.
As teams analyze their data tonight, all eyes will be on the weather forecast. Montreal’s microclimate, influenced by its island location in the St. Lawrence River, is notoriously unpredictable, and rain showers could dramatically alter the competitive order for Saturday’s crucial qualifying session.
For fans attending the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve or following from afar, this opening practice session suggests we’re in for another compelling Canadian Grand Prix weekend. With three different teams in the top five and changeable conditions expected, the stage is set for a classic Montreal showdown.
Whether Verstappen can maintain his advantage through qualifying and Sunday’s race remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the Canadian Grand Prix continues to provide one of Formula 1’s most challenging and unpredictable venues, where driver skill can still overcome raw machinery advantage.
Check out CO24 Sports for continuing coverage throughout the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, including exclusive interviews and expert analysis as the action unfolds at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
