Teams shared their thoughts after a packed Friday at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Mercedes showed strength, while McLaren and Ferrari aimed to close the gap.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve hosted a lively Sprint Qualifying, where the drivers and teams shared their insights on a bustling Friday ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell led the way for Mercedes in FP1, with Antonelli topping the timesheets. Russell had a lucky escape with a minor spin at Turn 1, barely brushing the barriers. However, when it came to Sprint Qualifying, it was Russell who secured pole, narrowly edging out Antonelli. The team's latest upgrades seemed to pay off, although Russell noted they must improve their starts for the upcoming Sprint.
Antonelli acknowledged his session wasn't flawless. He had a grassy detour in SQ2 and struggled with cold tyres initially in SQ3. Despite these hiccups, he remains optimistic about the car's potential. Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin highlighted the promising pace on the Soft tyres but cautioned that competitor teams were closing in, with the likes of Hamilton showing strong form.
Oscar Piastri's practice was marred by a flat-spotted tyre, but Lando Norris found his rhythm in Sprint Qualifying, securing third just ahead of Piastri. Norris felt encouraged by the team's swift adjustments despite the track not suiting them as well as Miami did. McLaren's Technical Director, Neil Houldey, praised the team's progress with recent upgrades and aims to push for higher positions in future sessions.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton looked competitive, especially after topping SQ1. However, a mistake in SQ3 left him in fifth, just ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc in sixth. Both drivers felt the car had more potential, and Team Principal Fred Vasseur is eager to see them capitalize on any point-scoring opportunities in the Sprint.
Arvid Lindblad made a strong impression by reaching SQ3 and qualifying ninth, despite being a rookie at this track. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson faced disappointment due to a hydraulics issue that kept him from participating in Sprint Qualifying. Despite the setbacks, Head of Trackside Engineering Mattia Spini is optimistic about their chances in the Sprint.
Carlos Sainz made it to SQ3 for the first time this season, a milestone for Williams. Unfortunately, Alex Albon suffered significant damage in FP1, preventing him from setting a time. Team Principal James Vowles is pleased with the team's progress and hopes to fight for points.
Audi had a fairly smooth day, with Nico Hulkenberg just missing out on SQ3 by a narrow margin. Gabriel Bortoleto also put in a solid performance. Racing Director Allan McNish is hopeful for a better showing in the Sprint, aiming to secure points.
Alpine's Franco Colapinto overcame early setbacks to reach SQ2, while Pierre Gasly faced a tough day, exiting in SQ1 due to red flags. Managing Director Steve Nielsen acknowledges the team has much to analyze and improve for the next sessions.
Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman both exited in SQ2, with Haas struggling to optimize their upgraded car. Team Principal Ayao Komatsu emphasized the need for a better understanding of their setup to improve performance.
Fernando Alonso's promising pace was cut short by a crash in SQ1, while Lance Stroll's home race hopes were dashed with a cold-tyre issue. The team hopes for better results in the Sprint.
Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez faced an unfortunate early exit in SQ1 due to red flags. Despite this, Team Principal Graeme Lowdon remains optimistic, seeing the team's performance as a step forward.
Simone Berra, Pirelli's Chief Engineer, noted that track conditions required careful tyre management, a factor that will remain crucial throughout the weekend.
The Canadian Grand Prix continues to promise excitement, with teams eager to make the most of their strategies in the Sprint and the main race.