MONTREAL: Mercedes’ championship leader Kimi Antonelli was fastest in sole practice for the Canadian Grand Prix sprint weekend on Friday as the team made a strong start with their first major upgrade package of the Formula One season.
The 19-year-old Italian, chasing a fourth win in a row, lapped the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a best time of one minute 13.402 seconds in bright sunshine and cool conditions.
Teammate George Russell, last year’s winner in Montreal and seeking to regain momentum after Antonelli’s sizzling start to the season, was second fastest and 0.142 slower.
The Briton ended his session with a spin at Turn Two and glanced against the barrier, bringing out yellow flags.
Ferrari’s seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton was third fastest, ahead of team mate Charles Leclerc, with Red Bull’s four-times champion Max Verstappen fifth.
