WATCH: Leclerc crashes during FP1 in Canada

Charles Leclerc brought out an early red flag during the opening practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix, providing Ferrari with a significant and unexpected repair challenge for the remainder of the weekend. The Monegasque driver, who had just set what was then the fastest lap of the hour, saw his FP1 cut short after only 15 minutes as much of the field appeared to be struggling with low grip conditions. Heading into Turn 3, Leclerc appeared to lock up on the dusty track surface, causing his car to swerve slightly wide. This forced him onto the grass, leading to an unavoidable slam into the barrier on the circuit's left-hand side at the following corner. Confirming he was uninjured over the radio, a contrite Leclerc stated, 'Sorry, I'm in the wall. I should have gone straight on.' This premature end to his session not only disrupted the flow for other teams but also places considerable pressure on Ferrari's mechanics to swiftly repair the damage. The incident undoubtedly impacts Leclerc's rhythm and preparation on the demanding Montreal circuit, setting an unfortunate tone for what was hoped to be a strong weekend for the Scuderia.