Rain, sparks and uncertainty. The second test session in Canada, like the first, was also partly in the wet. Almost immediately, so much so that Charles Leclerc went out on the track with intermediate tires without being authorized given that the race direction had not yet declared the track wet at that moment. There shouldn’t be any serious consequences for the Monegasque, who in any case will have to justify himself to the commissioners at the end of the session. At the end of the evening, somewhat anomalous results with Fernando Alonso finishing in the lead with Aston Martin, ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes and the other Aston of local hero, Lance Stroll. Fourth was Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, which set an important time with the medium tyres, the only one with these tires in the top 10, or rather 12, given that 13th is the first to use the yellow tires and is Carlos Sainz. Redheads are very confident.
But how truthful is the list? Less than usual. For the few overall laps and for the conditions. The weather is always an important variable in Montreal and this weekend it will not disappoint its habits. Rain is also expected tomorrow for the last tests and then the qualifications, as well as Sunday for the GP. Intermittent rain, which in this second session failed to extinguish the smoke coming from Max Verstappen’s Red Bull which fitted a new engine for Montreal, the third of the season. A problem with the hybrid part of the power unit stops the world champion who, half an hour from the end, gets out of the car and leaves it in the hands of the mechanics.
An image that amplifies the impression of the latest races: not only is Red Bull beatable, but it even has imperfections.
And the others are getting closer and closer. Above all McLaren (who with Lando Norris set the best time in free practice 1) and Ferrari (Sainz and Leclerc behind the Englishman in the morning). Canada will be another opportunity to see where the battle stands, on a particular track that is very different from Monaco, where Ferrari won.
In Montreal we talk about time and the future, especially in the aftermath of the publication of the guidelines of the 2026 regulation on aerodynamics and chassis which will have to be ratified by the end of the month. The idea is to have lighter, smaller and more manageable machines. With active aerodynamic systems and extra power to facilitate overtaking and make races more spectacular. But on many points the teams have great doubts and questions, so much so that they decided to meet and bring their doubts to the FIA.
