Montreal – The Canadian Grand Prix saw a mix of drama and speed as Formula 1 drivers battled challenging weather conditions on Friday. Max Verstappen, the current points leader, faced early setbacks when his Red Bull car started smoking due to a battery issue, forcing him to retire from the second free practice session after just four laps. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin showcased his skills by setting the fastest lap time of 1 minute, 15.810 seconds.The day started off with Circuit Gilles Villeneuve being hit by heavy rain, lightning, and hail, causing delays and havoc for the drivers. Following the stormy weather, the track conditions improved slightly, allowing the drivers to hit the wet track about 22 minutes into the session. However, the challenging conditions led to several incidents, including Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu aquaplaning and hitting the wall at Turn 5.Despite the weather challenges, the drivers managed to navigate the track, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc showcasing competitive performances. The lone Canadian driver, Lance Stroll of Aston Martin, also put on a strong showing with a lap time of 1:16.464.As the rain continued to play a role in the proceedings, event organizers had to ask spectators to leave the grandstands for safety reasons. However, the storm subsided just in time for the expected start time, allowing the fans to return to the site and witness the exciting action on the track.With more rain expected throughout the weekend, the drivers are gearing up for a challenging qualifying session on Saturday ahead of the main race on Sunday. Despite the unpredictable weather conditions, the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix promises to be an exhilarating and unpredictable event for drivers and fans alike.(Photo Credit: Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)—Words: 289
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