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.

Kimi Antonelli has claimed three wins in a row to lead the championship by 20 points.

Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli seeks a sensational fourth consecutive victory to boost his F1 drivers' title bid this weekend, but expects a robust response from Mercedes…