Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWilliams driver Alex Albon during (Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)Alex Albon’s practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix took an unexpected turn when his car collided with a groundhog, sending him into the barriers. Williams confirmed their driver was unable to avoid the local inhabitant as he navigated turn seven of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.The Montreal track, situated within Parc Jean-Drapeau on Isle Notre Dame, has a history of wildlife encounters, with groundhogs frequently appearing on the circuit during race weekends. Last year, Lewis Hamilton expressed he was "devastated" after a similar incident.The unusual collision has left Williams facing a significant repair challenge ahead of sprint qualifying later on Friday.Albon, a known animal lover whose pets even boast their own Instagram account, was forced to return to the garage with more than half of the sole practice session still remaining.In fullF1 Canadian GP LIVE: Kimi Antonelli quickest in practice after crashes in MontrealThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

The Williams driver crashed into the barriers and damaged his car after the unfortunate incident at turn seven.

Alexander Albon è finito contro il muro nelle FP1 del GP del Canada 2026 dopo aver colpito una marmotta sul circuito di Montreal

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Williams confirmed that the incident occurred as Albon "came around turn seven and unfortunately couldn’t avoid a groundhog" on the track.

El tailandés manejaba durante la práctica libre del fin de semana cuando el animal ingresó a la pista y chocó contra la carrocería: se dañó la parte trasera del vehículo

The qualifying session was red flagged for a second time at the Canadian Grand Prix after Alex Albon's Williams hit the wall while avoiding a marmot on the Circuit Gilles…

El piloto de Williams se encontró con el roedor en mitad de la pista y se generó un choque involuntario seguido de una bandera roja a mitad de la práctica libre

Alex Albon collided with a groundhog in practice, which led to a heavy crash and left his Williams with “extensive damage”.

Alex Albon crashes after running into a marmot before Fernando Alonso runs into a wall at the Canadian Grand Prix.

A groundhog is killed and an F1 car heavily damaged after a collision during practice for the Canadian Grand Prix.

La séance d’essais du GP du Canada a été interrompue plusieurs minutes après qu’un pilote a percuté une marmotte sur la piste