#F1 #CanadianGP FP2: @alo_oficial quickest ahead of @GeorgeRussell63, @lance_stroll.

Alonso Canadian GP FP2 – Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was quickest in a mixed-conditioned FP2 session at the Canadian GP ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and his team-mate Lance Stroll who completed the top three whilst championship leader Max Verstappen was a low-18^th due to an ERS issue.

Alonso posted the benchmark of a 1:15.810 on the C5 red side-walled soft tyre in the window before the rain returned and was 0.463 seconds clear of Russell as home favourite Stroll was 0.654 seconds adrift of the Spaniard in third.

Alonso spent the majority of the afternoon on top of the time-sheets with only a few interruptions from other drivers, as the double world champion found increasing grip despite a light sprinkling of early rain.

In the wake of a hailstorm and downpour, which affected opening practice, expected further precipitation predicted by the weather radars, saw the majority emerge on the softs early on in proceedings.

A sprinkling of rain started falling as the second 60-minute session began; although this did not hamper early improvements as Alpine’s Pierre Gasly registered the first benchmark in the 1:20 bracket, radio-traffic appeared to be largely forecast-focused.

Alonso then put his Mercedes-powered AMR24 racer to the top, which was then beaten by his team-mate Stroll, although the Spaniard continued to improve despite the reports that the rain was getting heavier at the end of the first 20 minutes of proceedings.

The double world champion found more pace getting a 1:17.835, then a 1:16.668 before Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took control with a 1:16.556 moments after.

The Monegasque driver before that had been pinged for a stewards investigation as the Scuderia initially sent him out on intermediates before the track had been declared wet and had to pit him to correct the error.

Despite the predictions over the weather, the rain continued to hold off and allowed Alonso to resume his place at the head of the leaderboard as he posted a 1:15.810, ending the opening half an hour with largely interrupted running as the continued running negated the effect of the rain.

When the soft tyre running came to an end, it brought a long lull as rain continued to fall on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. This ensured that if anyone was going to re-emerge on track, they would have to use the intermediates – all but ending the chance for someone to pip Alonso at the top of the pile.

Russell was second quickest after splitting the two Aston Martin’s, leaving home favourite Stroll in third, whilst Leclerc waits for the decision by the stewards for his incorrect tyre usage from fourth on the classification.

RB’s Daniel Ricciardo and Haas F1 Team’s Kevin Magnussen took advantage of the mixed conditions to take fifth and sixth respectively whilst the other Mercedes F1 W15 entry of Sir Lewis Hamilton placed seventh.

RB’s Yuki Tsunoda came eighth in the classification as Williams Racing’s Alexander Albon and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez completed the top ten.

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon finished outside the top ten in 11^th place and in-front of Williams’ Logan Sargeant who was 12^th and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz who took 13^th in the order.

Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu ended the day 14^th and 17^th in the classification as Haas F1 Team’s Nico Hulkenberg and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri were sandwiched in-between the duo in 15^th and 16^th respectively.

The aforementioned championship leader Verstappen placed a low-18^th as the Dutchman suffered an ERS issue ending his session early with the Red Bull driver reporting a smell of smoke coming from the rear of his RB20 racer.

Alpine’s Gasly and McLaren’s Norris brought up the rear.

McLaren pairing Norris and Piastri are also awaiting a decision by the stewards for failing to follow race director’s instructions.

You can see the full Formula 1 AWS Grand Prix Du Canada 2024 Free Practice 2 Results Classification at the link: https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2024/races/1237/canada/practice-2.html

@LandoNorris tops damp opening #CanadianGP FP1 session. #F1

#F1 AWS #CanadianGP 2024 Preview. #Formula1 #CanadaGP