Free Practice 1 at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix brought with it everything we’ve come to expect from Montreal: a dirty, low-grip surface, surprise names at the top of the timing sheet, and a driver lineup already battered by brush-ups with the walls. But nothing dominated the conversation more than Charles Leclerc’s early crash, a seemingly minor mistake with unexpectedly major consequences.
Top 10 – FP1 Classification:
Max Verstappen
Alex Albon
Carlos Sainz
George Russell
Lewis Hamilton
Isack Hadjar
Lando Norris
Liam Lawson
Pierre Gasly
Charles Leclerc
Montreal Starts Slippery as Always
With last year’s pole time at 1:12.000, it was clear that FP1 was nowhere near representative, lap times were significantly slower due to terrible grip conditions and an extremely dusty track surface. Despite morning support races, drivers were spinning and locking up across multiple corners.
It’s a classic Montreal Friday: high risk, low data value.
And while the track will evolve quickly, expect big gains in FP2 and FP3, the combination of cold tires and loose asphalt made this session more of a survival exercise than a setup opportunity.
Leclerc Out of FP2 with Chassis Damage
Charles Leclerc’s day ended early after a crash at Turn 3, where he ran wide onto the grass and hit the inside wall. While at first glance the contact seemed light, Ferrari later confirmed the survival cell had to be replaced, ruling him out of FP2 entirely.
What makes it more brutal is how avoidable it looked. Leclerc had the option to take the escape road, and with grip levels as bad as they were, it wouldn’t have been a sign of weakness. Instead, it’s another Canada incident in a growing list of misfortunes.
There’s no question he hit the rear harder than expected, enough to damage the chassis. That’s rare, especially for a low-speed error.
Tire Strategy by Accident?
With Leclerc missing FP2, there’s speculation that Ferrari may gain a minor strategic edge. Per FIA rules, all drivers must return two tire sets after each practice session, regardless of whether they ran them or not. So skipping FP2 might mean fewer laps, but potentially better tire allocation come Sunday.
The reality is that Ferrari still loses more than it gains here, especially on a track with rapid evolution. But the “big brain tire conservation” angle is some much-needed comic relief in another bruising Montreal start.
Ferrari Pressure Mounting, and Rumors Swirl
Leclerc’s crash comes at a time when rumors about team principal Fred Vasseur’s future have started to circulate. It’s a strange narrative shift given how Ferrari has stabilized somewhat under his leadership, certainly compared to the erratic direction of years past.
But if internal pressure is building again in Maranello, Leclerc’s crash, Hamilton still adapting to the team and car, and a still-inconsistent SF-25 will only make the scrutiny louder.
Let’s be clear: removing Vasseur this close to a new regulation cycle would be illogical. The team has shown real progress under his leadership, and any short-term instability would only hurt Ferrari more in the long run.
Gasly Quietly Impressive Again
Pierre Gasly continues to quietly outperform expectations. With six Q3 appearances in nine rounds this season and a P9 in FP1, he’s making a strong case as the best midfield performer on the grid right now.
While many are fixated on the rookies at Alpine, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Gasly is extracting the most from a car that isn’t doing him many favors. Despite instability, poor balance, and high tire degradation, he’s keeping the Alpine competitive. That kind of adaptability deserves recognition.
And as for Colapinto, it’s a tough learning environment, and he’s being judged harshly in a car that’s barely holding together. Colapinto showed serious promise in his late 2024 Williams stint, but hasn’t come close to matching Gasly this year.
The question now is whether the young driver will be given space to develop, or if Flavio Briatore’s notoriously cutthroat approach is setting them up to fail.
Williams: Still Delusional, Still Delightful
Alex Albon’s P2 triggered the full Weeyums Effect™ online. In classic fashion, fans went straight from “It’s only practice” to “Drop the podium merch.”
Is it sustainable? Probably not. But for a team that spent much of the hybrid era at the back of the grid, this kind of moment is pure emotional fuel. And with Montreal’s long straights rewarding low-drag setups, there’s actually some logic behind the optimism.
Carlos Sainz’s P3 adds another layer, he’s been reliably excellent no matter what car he’s given, and his consistent presence near the front only underscores the hope fans have for this team in the future.
Final Word
FP1 in Montreal gave us everything: chaos, comedy, cursed red cars, and a whole lot of theories. Leclerc’s crash may haunt Ferrari’s weekend, but with more rubber to come, the real pecking order won’t be clear until Saturday.
Still, this much is obvious: Max Verstappen is inevitable. Pierre Gasly is underrated. Williams fans are undefeated.
And Charles Leclerc? He just can’t catch a break, especially in Canada.