Hail fell on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit before the first practice session in preparation for the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix on Friday, then the rain complicated the drivers’ task during the second session.
Between the two, the drivers also had to avoid a marmot on track early in the second session.
In racing terms, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso set the fastest lap in the second practice session late in the afternoon, before everyone returned to the garage when the rain intensified.
The drivers returned to the track, but they did so on the intermediate tires and were unable to improve their reference time.
George Russell, from Mercedes, and Quebecer Lance Stroll, from Aston Martin, completed the top-3.
Reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen was limited to four laps during the second session. Smoke started coming from his Red Bull car and he quickly headed towards the garage.
Red Bull said the nature of the problem was associated with the energy recovery system.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was fastest in the first session, which was cut short by more than 25 minutes while track attendants dried the track and an incident involving Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu.
Norris was followed by the two Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
Due to the track conditions during both sessions, it is difficult to quantify the value of the results.
The cars were shod on soft tires for only the last five minutes of the first session.
Weather conditions forced organizers to briefly ask spectators to evacuate the stands before the first session. Access to the site was also briefly interrupted.
A third practice session is scheduled for Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Qualifying will take place from 4 p.m.
The 53rd edition of the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. The race is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
