So who could be in play for pole position?McLaren look strong again, at least Lando Norris does. But Oscar Piastri has proved this season he is never down and out.
Max Verstappen has won three races in a row here in Montreal, twice from pole and from P2 last year. He should be cautious given his penalty points but he told reporters he will be driving like usual. Remember he has 11 penalty points and is one away from a race ban.
Ferrari has not been on pole so far in 2025 and the Italian media has made it known that team principal Fred Vasseur is under pressure.
Max Verstappenis certainly a polarising character in the soap opera that can beFormula One. What does having someone who can be a villain one season and a vulnerable underdog the next do for the sport? Here is Beau Dure’s verdict.
George Russellhas been fined €200 for speeding in the pit lane twice during the third practice session. The Mercedes driver went 0.1km/h over the 80km/h speed limit and 0.2km/h over on a separate occasion resulting in two €100 fines.
Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto possible red flag infringements are being investigated.
Top 10 final practice standings
Lando Norris (McLaren) 1:11.799
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.078
George Russell (Mercedes) +0.151
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.251
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.273
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +0.448
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.549
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.720
Carlos Sainz (Williams) +0.720
Alex Albon (Williams) +0.774
At the final practicein Montreal, Lando Norris came out on top after what he called’s McLaren’s Friday the “worst” of the season.
His late-session time of 1:11.799 on soft tyres was quickest, although McLaren’s rivals remained close behind.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc – returning to the track after his big crash in yesterday’s first practice session – finished within a tenth of the lead McLaren. Mercedes’ George Russell, Lewis Hamilton in his Ferrari, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen were all in close contention by the end.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was one of three drivers to hit the Wall of Champions, getting an instant puncture after smacking it with the right-rear wheel of his car. The debris on the track brought out the red flag and the F1 leader may have damaged the suspension on his McLaren. Nico Hulkenberg and Oliver Bearman later hit the wall hard too.
There is tension in the Ferrari campas Fred Vasseur, whose position as team principal is under scrutiny, says criticism of his team is “clearly hurting” their chances of fighting for the world championship.
Ferrari are already 197 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ standings.
The former grand prix driverDerek Warwick has been suspended from his role as a steward at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, the FIA unhappy with “recent unauthorised media comments”.
He is being replaced by the Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, who would be “officiating from the remote operations centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event”.
The FIA says: “After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix.”
Warwick is being punished for expressing a negative opinion about Max Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix after the Dutchman apparently deliberately collided with Mercedes’ George Russell, saying the decision was “right” to hit the Red Bull driver with a penalty.
On a gambling website, Warwick doubled down by saying: “Should he have done what he did, in Turn Five with George Russell? Absolutely not. Did he get a penalty for that? Yes. It seems to me that, although he dove in, he then did turn away from George, but momentum pushed him against George. It is absolutely wrong and the FIA was right to give him a penalty.”
Bonjourand welcome to qualifiers of the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, eh. The overhanging trees at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve give the track with a lot of slow-speed corners a great feel. The drivers will be tested with unforgiving run-off areas and the series of tight, alternating turns at the end.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris – both of McLaren – lead the driver standings with the defending champion Max Verstappen in third. The Dutchman is under pressure this weekend as he is just one penalty point from a race ban after colliding with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix.
Join me for the buildup and news before we get to the 9pm BST / 4pm EST qualifiers. And, as always, feel free to send your predictions, questions and concernsvia email.