Lando Norris says McLaren suffered their “worst Friday” of the 2025 Method 1 season and expects to battle Mercedes for pole place on the Canadian Grand Prix.
Norris was solely 0.028s behind pace-setter George Russell in second apply however set his finest time after three flying laps on the delicate tyre.
Championship chief Oscar Piastri was solely sixth and 0.439s down on Russell, who used the medium tyres.
“We need to get the car in a better place. It’s difficult. It’s been our worst Friday of the year so far, maybe not worst in terms of pace but the most difficult to put together and most tricky,” mentioned Norris.
“We’re not miles away however we have to make it a bit simpler to drive. We’re nonetheless in place. It is shut and different groups are up there. Mercedes now appear very fast, simply as they have been final 12 months right here. They have been fairly simply the perfect right here final 12 months.
“We expected them to be fast, they proved that on Friday. But I’m complaining I’m not fast. We are still there or thereabouts. At the minute, we are not quickest but you never know.”
McLaren introduced a brand new entrance suspension and new entrance wing to Montreal however ran the previous entrance wing in second apply on each automobiles after experimenting with the brand new wing within the first session.
Piastri said the upgrades labored “as expected” however Norris mentioned the automobile felt “pretty similar”.
“It’s hard to say just from one track, you have to go to many more and here is unique with the kerbs and low grip,” mentioned the British driver.
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Lando Norris displays on a enjoyable rivalry with Oscar Piastri and admits a team-mate conflict is ‘inevitable’
“A bit too early to tell but all of the things are aiming to move the car in the right direction and give me more feeling, which is a good thing.”
Piastri added: “We made a good step from FP1 to FP2 and just need to try and make the same step again.
“No alarm bells. Simply have to get the automobile in a greater window and me in a greater window.”
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Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll hits the wall throughout P2 on the Canadian Grand Prix
Russell: Nothing left extra within the tank
Russell was quickest in a apply session for the primary time this 12 months as Mercedes continued their development of flying in cool circumstances.
The air temperature is forecast to stay within the low 20s for qualifying and the race, so Russell seems to be a real pole contender however he performed down his Friday tempo.
“We had higher expectations coming into this weekend because of the cooler conditions, the track is quite smooth so the tyres run quite cold,” he mentioned.
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Purple Bull crew principal Christian Horner says that Max Verstappen apologised to the crew after he clashed with Mercedes driver George Russell within the Spanish GP
“We know our weakness which is when it’s hot we struggle. When it’s cold, the tyres run cold and we are competitive. That’s validation today. We will try and maximise this weekend.
“My lap was sturdy. It was optimised. There was nothing left extra within the tank. We had all of it on the desk, full beans, energy and all the remaining.
“You have to be realistic. A number of teams are thinking about the medium tyre. Come qualifying, do you go on the soft or medium, that’s one of the challenges with this C6 compound.”
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George Russell said that Mercedes should keep practical forward of qualifying after ending quickest within the second apply session at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen topped first apply however was solely ninth within the second session.
Verstappen, who has received the final three races in Montreal, is not sure if Purple Bull can problem on the entrance.
“The day was alright. I felt quite happy with the car. FP2 was a bit more difficult for other reasons,” he mentioned.
“We lost something with the car balance-wise, ride, that we need to investigate but overall it was a positive day.
“The automobile generally in FP2 was a bit tougher but when we are able to get it again to the way it was in FP1, we glance fairly OK.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Canadian GP schedule
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A glance again at a number of the most dramatic moments from the Canadian Grand Prix
Saturday June 14
2.10pm: F1 Academy Race One
5.15pm: Canadian GP Apply Three (session begins at 5.30pm)
7.30pm: F1 Academy Race Two
8.30pm: Canadian GP Qualifying build-up
9pm: CANADIAN GP QUALIFYING
11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday June 15
3.50pm: F1 Academy Race Three
5.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Canadian GP build-up*
7pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX*
9pm: Chequered Flag: Canadian GP response
10pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion
The 2025 Method 1 season resumes dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 with the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.
