Sergio Perez signs new two-year contract with Red Bull
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Formula 1 is coming to Montreal for the ninth round of the 2024 season, as the Canadian Grand Prix takes place on the city's street circuit this weekend.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was victorious for the first time in 22 months last time out, winning his home race in Monaco two weeks ago. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, finished sixth, reducing his lead over Leclerc in the F1 drivers' championship to 31 points.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished second in Monte Carlo, his teammate Lando Norris fourth, while the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished fifth and seventh. The Silver Arrows are struggling to keep up with the leading trio. Hamilton has won seven times in Canada.
Sergio Perez signed a new two-year contract with Red Bull on Monday, while Alpine announced that Esteban Ocon will leave the group at the end of the season as twists and turns in the driver market for 2025 continue at a rapid pace.
Follow the Canadian Grand Prix with The Independent:
F1 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX – LATEST UPDATES
Show last update 1717786487
Kieran Jackson7 June 2024 19:54
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Lando Norris is the fastest in FP1!
It was a stop-and-go session that was hard to read too much into, but McLaren's Lando Norris was quickest at the very end on the soft tyres in drying conditions.
The Briton finished with a time of 1:24:435, behind him Carlos Sainz finished second and Charles Leclerc third.
4-10: Hamilton, Verstappen, Piastri, Gasly, Bottas Perez, Russell
However, a third of the starting field did not manage a single flying lap, including Jack Doohan from Alpine – which is a shame for the Australian.
Let's hope it's a bit drier later, eh…
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson7 June 2024 19:37
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Only four cars on the track
Not as many as hoped – but there are four of the big boys: Sainz, Leclerc, Norris, Verstappen.
And they're running soft tires! Let's see if any of them can do a lap together…
Kieran Jackson7 June 2024 19:27
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All cars in the pit lane
However, we will be getting some riders on track soon… we might even get some slick tires (dry tires)!
Lando Norris has just taken a nap in his McLaren cockpit – but he hasn’t set a time yet.
Kieran Jackson7 June 2024 19:21
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Carlos Sainz is the fastest with 12 minutes to go!
We are actually the pack at intermediates – and out of ten cars that have set times, Ferrari takes the first two places!
Carlos Sainz was in first place with a time of 1:27:385, 0.075 seconds ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc.
Valtteri Bottas is two tenths behind in third place, Sergio Perez is fourth.
5-10: Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Magnussen, Hamilton, Russell
Kieran Jackson7 June 2024 19:18
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Green flag!
So Zhou's Sauber was cleared – there was a slight touch with the wall after a spin on the grass – and the session continues with 20 minutes to go!
Half of the field goes out immediately – will we get an intermediate tire later?!
Kieran Jackson7 June 2024 19:13
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RED FLAG!
Zhou Guanyu drove into the wall for Sauber and had to stop on the track. RED FLAG!
A nightmare for the majority of the field of drivers who have just left the track and now have to go back to the pits.
Only 11 minutes of running so far this session…it's going to be a slow, slow day…
Kieran Jackson7 June 2024 19:04
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Lewis Hamilton on the track!
The pit lane is open and Lewis Hamilton is one of four cars on the track!
It's very wet – “the grip is very low,” says Hamilton – so we'll see how aggressive some drivers are with their racing plans in this first session.
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson7 June 2024 18:57
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The pit lane opens in eight minutes!
FIA Update: Pit lane opens at 18:55 (BST).
However, it has started to rain again, although only lightly.
Kieran Jackson7 June 2024 18:48
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Jack Doohan in the car for Alpine
One person who is particularly excited to get started is Jack Doohan, who is representing Esteban Ocon at Alpine in this first session.
The Australian will be desperate for a chance to make an impression, with Ocon's place next year now vacant after it was announced that the Frenchman will leave at the end of the season.
Ten minutes have passed in FP1, unfortunately the pit lane is still closed.
Kieran Jackson7 June 2024 18:38