F1 leader Max Verstappen smoky battery problem Canadian Grand Prix practice

Verstappen's Red Bull smokes, Alonso fastest in Canadian Grand Prix practice. Unpredictable weather creates challenges for drivers. Excitement builds for race.

The Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal saw Formula 1 points leader Max Verstappen encountering issues early on as his Red Bull machine began smoking, forcing him to leave the track prematurely during the second free practice session. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin set the pace with the fastest lap time of 1 minute, 15.810 seconds on Friday.

The day started with a chaotic turn of events as heavy rain, lightning, and hail hit Circuit Gilles Villeneuve before the first practice session, causing delays and challenging conditions for the drivers. Verstappen's return to the garage after just four laps in the second session was attributed to a battery issue that resulted in the smoke coming from his car.

Despite the setback, Verstappen remained optimistic, acknowledging the importance of understanding the situation and its implications for the weekend and the rest of the season. Alonso, on the other hand, emphasized the significance of making the right decisions in such unpredictable conditions, as it could make a significant difference in the race outcome.

The day saw a mix of performances from different teams, with George Russell of Mercedes and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin securing the second and third fastest lap times, respectively. McLaren's Lando Norris and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz also showed competitive performances in challenging weather conditions.

The unpredictable weather continued to be a factor throughout the day, with drivers facing various challenges on the wet track. The session saw multiple incidents, including Zhou Guanyu triggering a red flag after aquaplaning and hitting the wall, as well as several other drivers sliding off course into the grass.

As the weekend progresses, more rain is expected, adding an element of uncertainty to the upcoming qualifying session and the race on Sunday. Despite the challenging conditions, the drivers remain focused on adapting to the changing weather and making the right decisions to maximize their performance on the track.