Leclerc's Canadian GP Friday Halted by FP1 Crash Damage

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc saw his Friday running at the Canadian Grand Prix significantly curtailed after a crash in the opening practice session caused chassis damage, forcing him to miss FP2. The Monegasque driver, who was circulating on wet tyres early in the rain-affected FP1 session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, lost control of his SF-25 at Turn 3. Leclerc locked up under braking, causing the car to run wide onto the grass and make significant contact with the outside wall. The impact severely damaged the front-left corner of the Ferrari, bringing out a red flag and effectively ending his session early. Following the incident, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed that the damage necessitated a chassis change and extensive checks, rendering it impossible for Leclerc to participate in the second practice session later in the day. Leclerc himself took responsibility for the crash, acknowledging it as a driver error. The low-grip conditions throughout FP1 proved challenging for several drivers, highlighting the difficult nature of the Montreal circuit under adverse weather. Leclerc was not the only driver to encounter issues, with Lewis Hamilton spinning his Mercedes at the hairpin and both George Russell and Lando Norris also experiencing off-track moments at various points due to the slippery surface. Despite the disruptions and tricky conditions, Max Verstappen topped the timesheets in the curtailed FP1 session. The Red Bull driver held a narrow advantage over the Williams of Alex Albon and the second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, who finished second and third respectively. The loss of FP2 running will be a significant setback for Leclerc and Ferrari, limiting their data gathering and setup work ahead of Saturday's crucial qualifying session and Sunday's race, particularly given the unpredictable weather forecast for the weekend in Montreal.