He was the fastest in the first session and repeated in the second. Max Verstappen forgets all kinds of debates about ‘porpoising’ and such, and led the final time table ahead of charles leclerc Y Carlos Sainz.
The Dutchman beat the Monegasque by less than a tenth, who once again starts as a strong candidate for pole position and again (by pure statistics) points to failure. In a session in which it was filmed after the FIA confirmed that there would be no punishment for such a notable rebound effect, much more ‘porpoising’ was seen than in the first round.
In the words of Carlos Sainz3rd to just over 2 tenths, “was really bad” compared to the afternoon session.
Whether because of the porposing or because they are not for more, the surprise of seeing the Mercedes so far back made it clear that they are not in a position. After rehearsing in the first few free sessions with the ground with that significant bite in the middle, they tried these second ones with a more normal ground. It didn’t work out for them, especially to a Lewis Hamilton which was within half a second of George Russell.
Two places ahead of Russell, who was 7th, he finished Fernando Alonso. It is one of the big unknowns of the weekend: will he be 5th in the standings again or will he be struggling to get to Q3? Predictably it will be closer to the second than to the first, but given where others may be, it can be hit with a ridge in the teeth.
The rain, which almost arrived for free practice, could be the protagonist this Saturday. In that case, the classification (with prominence for the fearsome wall of champions) can hold some surprises.
Free Time Table 2 Canadian Grand Prix
Photos: Red Bull Racing