Results Second Free Practice 2024 Canadian F1 Grand Prix

Event: Canadian F1 Grand Prix
Track: Gilles Villeneuve circuit

Weather: wet  18.8°C
Tarmac: wet  24.6°C
Humidity: 66%
Wind: 4.6 km/h South

FP2 Report: 2024 Canadian Grand Prix – Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso Tops the Timing Sheets

The ninth round of the 2024 Formula 1 season brings us to the iconic Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. The second practice session saw Fernando Alonso claim the fastest time in a wet-dry session, navigating the changing conditions better than his rivals.

Weather Plays Havoc with Practice Sessions

As has been the theme throughout the day, the weather once again played a crucial role. Following a wet-dry FP1 session where Lando Norris set the fastest time, FP2 saw similar mixed conditions. The session began under overcast skies with occasional drizzle, which complicated the teams' efforts to gather valuable data.

Alonso Shows His Class

Fernando Alonso topped the timing sheets with a 1:15.810, almost half a second clear of Mercedes' George Russell. Lance Stroll delighted the home fans by securing the third-fastest time. The Spaniard’s performance is a promising sign for Aston Martin, who are looking to capitalize on any opportunities this weekend.

Red Bull’s Reliability Woes Continue

Max Verstappen's session was cut short due to an ERS issue. Despite having won five of the first eight races this season, Red Bull has been plagued by reliability problems recently. The Dutchman reported smelling smoke, leading to a cautious return to the pits and an early end to his FP2. The team’s troubles were compounded by a meticulous effort to conceal the car from prying eyes as mechanics worked to diagnose the problem.

Mercedes Plays it Safe

Mercedes chose not to run their new front wing in the tricky conditions to avoid potential damage. This decision means Lewis Hamilton will face a fresh challenge in FP3 when he uses the new component for the first time. Russell, having tested the wing in Monaco, has a better handle on the setup.

Traffic and Spins

The session wasn't without its dramas. Charles Leclerc spun at the hairpin, narrowly avoiding major damage, while Alex Albon had a close call with the Wall of Champions. Traffic issues were prevalent, with several drivers expressing frustration over the radio.

Investigations and Penalties

The stewards were busy with multiple investigations. Leclerc was noted for a potential tyre usage breach, and Norris for failing to follow the race director’s instructions. Oscar Piastri also faced scrutiny for a similar issue.

Limited Data and Uncertain Predictions

Teams struggled to gather meaningful data due to the inconsistent weather. No long runs were completed, and the full range of tyre compounds remains largely untested. This makes FP3 a critical session for setup work and race preparation, especially if the conditions remain unpredictable.

Looking Ahead

With more rain forecasted for the weekend, the teams face a challenging qualifying session and race. FP3, scheduled for 12:30 local time (16:30 UTC), will be crucial for finalizing setups and strategies.

Last year's quickest lap time of FP2 was a 1:13,718 min, set by Lewis Hamilton with the Mercedes W14 driven on a set of soft compound tyres.

FP2 Times Table 2024 Canadian GP

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