Verstappen tops FP1 in Canada as Leclerc crash triggers red flags

Max Verstappen kicked off the Canadian Grand Prix weekend by topping the first practice session, navigating a chaotic hour that saw multiple incidents and red flags. The Red Bull driver clocked a 1m 13.193s, securing the fastest time despite reporting "heavy" steering early on. The session was notably interrupted by a red flag caused by Charles Leclerc, who crashed his Ferrari into the wall at Turn 4 after a lock-up. Before his accident, Leclerc had briefly led the timesheets, highlighting the competitive nature of the early running. Behind Verstappen, the Williams team showed surprising pace with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz securing second and third places, respectively, indicating a potential turnaround from their previous struggles. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, along with Isack Hadjar, rounded out the top six. The practice session also featured several near misses and spins, including incidents involving Franco Colapinto, Kimi Antonelli, and Lewis Hamilton. McLaren introduced new upgrades, including 'mermaid tails' on their front wing, with Oscar Piastri sporting aero rakes for evaluation. Haas showcased a retro livery to mark their 200th Grand Prix. The eventful session sets the stage for an intriguing Canadian Grand Prix weekend.