Canadian Grand Prix FP1 results: Max Verstappen fastest in Canada FP1. Charles Leclerc red flag incident. F1 practice session highlights and McLaren mermaid tail upgrades.
Introduction
The first practice session of the FIA Formula 1 Canadian GP 2025 came with a mix of speed, spins, and surprises. Max Verstappen once again showed why he’s the reigning champion by setting the fastest time, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing—Charles Leclerc brought out a red flag after a collision with the barrier, and plenty of drivers danced on the edge of control. As updates debuted, including McLaren’s mermaid tail wing, and Haas marked their 200th Grand Prix with a vintage look, fans got a thrilling first glimpse of the action ahead.
Let’s break down everything from tire choices to traffic jams, red flags to rookie fumbles.
Table of Contents
| Sr# | Headings |
|---|---|
| 1 | Verstappen Strikes First in FP1 |
| 2 | Albon and Sainz Stun With Top Three Pace |
| 3 | Leclerc’s Costly Mistake and Red Flag Drama |
| 4 | Ocon Leads the Train as Green Light Drops |
| 5 | McLaren’s Mermaid Tail Takes to the Track |
| 6 | Rookie Jitters: Colapinto’s Early Spin |
| 7 | Heavy Steering Woes for Verstappen |
| 8 | Hulkenberg Flirts with the Wall of Champions |
| 9 | Hamilton’s Spin and Norris’s Wild Ride |
| 10 | Traffic Trouble Between Albon and Bortoleto |
| 11 | Red Bull Racing Canada GP: Early Insights |
| 12 | Tyre Strategy: C5 Mediums vs C6 Softs |
| 13 | Haas 200th Grand Prix: Retro Feel, Modern Fight |
| 14 | Ferrari F1 Latest Updates and Setup Dilemma |
| 15 | Final Times and Who to Watch in FP2 |
1. Verstappen Strikes First in FP1
Max Verstappen fastest in Canada FP1—a sentence that’s becoming as familiar as coffee with breakfast. The Dutchman clocked a 1m 13.193s, edging out the rest of the field in Montreal. Despite a few steering complaints, his precision around the tricky Circuit Gilles Villeneuve remains unmatched.
2. Albon and Sainz Stun With Top Three Pace
While Verstappen topping the session might not surprise anyone, seeing Alex Albon in P2 and Carlos Sainz in P3 did raise some eyebrows. The Williams team, still licking wounds from Spain, looked sharp and aggressive here. Albon’s lap was just 0.039s behind Verstappen, proving he wasn’t just lucky—he was flying.
3. Leclerc’s Costly Mistake and Red Flag Drama
The biggest story, though? The Charles Leclerc red flag incident. After briefly topping the charts, the Monegasque locked up into Turn 4, kissing one barrier before bouncing into the other. “Sorry, guys,” he sighed over the radio—a now all-too-familiar phrase when it comes to Leclerc and practice mishaps.
4. Ocon Leads the Train as Green Light Drops
As the session began under clear skies, Esteban Ocon led a queue of eager drivers out of the pit lane. With Haas celebrating their 200th Grand Prix with a classic livery, the Frenchman was among the first to test grip levels on a very green circuit.
5. McLaren’s Mermaid Tail Takes to the Track
Yes, you read that right—McLaren’s latest front wing upgrade has earned the nickname “mermaid tail” thanks to its curvy new endplate design. Oscar Piastri was tasked with testing the new package while Lando Norris ran the older spec, giving the engineers a direct performance comparison. It’s one of the more eye-catching F1 practice session highlights so far.
6. Rookie Jitters: Colapinto’s Early Spin
Franco Colapinto, stepping in at Alpine, learned quickly that Turn 2 doesn’t forgive hesitation. A quick spin saw him facing the wrong way and triggered yellow flags. Though he recovered, it was a wake-up call—rookies have no room for error here.
7. Heavy Steering Woes for Verstappen
Early into the session, Verstappen radioed in with complaints of “heavy steering.” Red Bull’s Gianpiero Lambiase replied they were “monitoring the issue,” but clearly, it didn’t slow Max down. Perhaps it’s like lifting weights while dancing—you feel the pressure but keep moving to the rhythm.
8. Hulkenberg Flirts with the Wall of Champions
There’s always someone brave—or crazy—enough to get just a bit too close to the Wall of Champions. Nico Hulkenberg, fresh off a brilliant P5 in Spain, barely kissed danger but kept his Kick Sauber clean.
9. Hamilton’s Spin and Norris’s Wild Ride
If you thought only rookies had tough moments, Lewis Hamilton had a lazy spin at Turn 10, while Lando Norris struggled for grip, going off twice. It goes to show—this circuit punishes even the greats.
10. Traffic Trouble Between Albon and Bortoleto
In a moment of confusion, Albon attempted to yield for Gabriel Bortoleto but instead blocked the Kick Sauber driver. Miscommunication or misjudgment—it added spice to an already dramatic session.
11. Red Bull Racing Canada GP: Early Insights
Despite steering issues and traffic, Red Bull Racing seem well-prepped for the Canadian GP. Verstappen was consistent and assertive—if Friday’s any indication, they’re not giving up the top spot without a fight.
12. Tyre Strategy: C5 Mediums vs C6 Softs
Most drivers stuck with the softer C6 compound, but only four experimented with the C5 medium. This difference could be critical as the weekend unfolds and teams finalize race strategies.
13. Haas 200th Grand Prix: Retro Feel, Modern Fight
Haas celebrated their milestone with a retro-inspired look, but the performance didn’t quite match the occasion. Ocon and Bearman stayed in the lower half of the timesheets—plenty of work ahead before Qualifying.
14. Ferrari F1 Latest Updates and Setup Dilemma
Ferrari had updates too, but Leclerc’s crash overshadowed everything. Before his incident, he was on a hot lap, suggesting the car has pace—if they can keep it off the walls.
15. Final Times and Who to Watch in FP2
Here’s how the Canadian Grand Prix FP1 results ended:
- 1st: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1m 13.193s
- 2nd: Alex Albon (Williams) – +0.039s
- 3rd: Carlos Sainz (Williams)
Followed by Russell, Hamilton, Hadjar, Norris, Lawson, Gasly, and Leclerc in the top 10.
The stage is set for FP2 at 1700 local time—expect more upgrades, more drama, and maybe even a few surprises.
Conclusion
The F1 practice session highlights from Friday in Montreal gave fans a taste of the tension and unpredictability that only Formula 1 can deliver. From Red Bull Racing Canada GP confidence to Ferrari F1’s latest updates, and McLaren’s quirky upgrades, FP1 was anything but boring. Now all eyes turn to FP2, where drivers will look to fine-tune their setups and avoid the pitfalls that snared so many today.
FAQs
1. What caused the red flag in Canadian GP FP1?
Charles Leclerc brought out the red flag after locking up and crashing into the barriers at Turn 4.
2. Who was fastest in FP1 of the Canadian Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen topped the timesheets with a 1m 13.193s lap in his Red Bull.
3. What are the McLaren mermaid tail upgrades?
They refer to a new curvy front wing endplate designed to improve airflow—resembling a mermaid’s tail in shape.
4. How did the Haas team perform during their 200th Grand Prix?
Despite celebrating with a retro livery, Haas drivers struggled, with Ocon and Bearman finishing outside the top 15.
5. When is the next practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix?
FP2 is scheduled for 1700 local time on Friday, where teams will build on data gathered in FP1.
