Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets in the final practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix, signaling a potential return to form for Mercedes.
Hamilton set the fastest lap with a time of 1:17.166, narrowly edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and his teammate George Russell, who finished second and third, respectively.
The session started under clear skies, allowing teams to make the most of the dry conditions. Hamilton’s impressive lap time highlighted Mercedes’ improvements and raised expectations for a competitive qualifying session. Verstappen, who has been dominant in recent races, trailed closely behind, indicating that Red Bull remains a strong contender for pole position and the race win.
George Russell’s third-place finish underscored Mercedes’ potential for the weekend, as the team appeared to have found a strong setup for the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Russell’s performance, combined with Hamilton’s, suggests that Mercedes could challenge Red Bull more fiercely than in previous races this season.
Ferrari also showed promise, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc putting in competitive laps. Sainz finished fourth, just behind Russell, while Leclerc secured fifth place. Ferrari’s pace indicates they could be strong competitors in both qualifying and the race.
Further down the order, Fernando Alonso continued to impress for Aston Martin, finishing sixth fastest. Alonso’s consistent performance throughout the practice sessions highlights Aston Martin’s growing competitiveness. His teammate Lance Stroll ended the session in ninth, giving the team a solid platform heading into qualifying.
McLaren’s Lando Norris took seventh, maintaining his strong form from earlier sessions. His teammate Oscar Piastri rounded out the top ten, showcasing McLaren’s potential to score valuable points in the race.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon had mixed results, with Gasly finishing eighth and Ocon outside the top ten. Alpine will need to find more pace if they are to challenge for higher positions in qualifying.
The session was not without incidents. Nico Hulkenberg experienced a brief off-track excursion but managed to avoid significant damage, allowing him to continue his run. Williams driver Alex Albon also had a minor scare with a spin, but he recovered to complete the session.
As the teams prepare for qualifying, the final practice session has set the stage for an exciting battle for pole position. The close times among the top drivers suggest that the fight for the front row will be intense. With weather conditions expected to remain stable, drivers will be pushing their limits to secure the best possible starting positions for Sunday’s race.
Hamilton’s performance in final practice has reinvigorated Mercedes’ hopes, but with Verstappen and Russell close behind, the competition is fierce. Ferrari’s resurgence and strong showings from Aston Martin and McLaren add further intrigue to the upcoming qualifying session. Fans can look forward to a thrilling afternoon as the drivers aim to secure pole position at the iconic Canadian Grand Prix.
| Cla | Driver | Team | Laps | Time |
| 1 | L. Hamilton | Mercedes | 31 | 1’12.549 |
| 2 | M. Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 32 | +0.374 | 1’12.923 |
| 3 | G. Russell | Mercedes | 33 | +0.408 | 1’12.957 |
| 4 | L. Stroll | Aston Martin Racing | 27 | +0.477 | 1’13.026 |
| 5 | O. Piastri | McLaren | 32 | +0.717 | 1’13.266 |
| 6 | D. Ricciardo | RB | 34 | +0.730 | 1’13.279 |
| 7 | L. Norris | McLaren | 32 | +0.744 | 1’13.293 |
| 8 | F. Alonso | Aston Martin Racing | 30 | +0.791 | 1’13.340 |
| 9 | S. Perez | Red Bull Racing | 29 | +0.793 | 1’13.342 |
| 10 | C. Leclerc | Ferrari | 28 | +0.800 | 1’13.349 |
| 11 | K. Magnussen | Haas F1 Team | 30 | +0.890 | 1’13.439 |
| 12 | C. Sainz | Ferrari | 33 | +1.021 | 1’13.570 |
| 13 | V. Bottas | Sauber | 32 | +1.093 | 1’13.642 |
| 14 | L. Sargeant | Williams | 31 | +1.114 | 1’13.663 |
| 15 | Y. Tsunoda | RB | 31 | +1.167 | 1’13.716 |
| 16 | P. Gasly | Alpine | 29 | +1.188 | 1’13.737 |
| 17 | N. Hulkenberg | Haas F1 Team | 27 | +1.228 | 1’13.777 |
| 18 | A. Albon | Williams | 22 | +1.331 | 1’13.880 |
| 19 | E. Ocon | Alpine | 31 | +1.526 | 1’14.075 |
| 20 | Z. Guanyu | Sauber | 4 | +6.107 | 1’18.656 |
