Leclerc Crash Halts Early Practice at Canadian Grand Prix

Montreal witnessed a dramatic start to the Canadian Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc crashed his Ferrari during the first practice session (FP1), triggering a red flag and halting the session temporarily.

The incident occurred at Turn 3 of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, with Leclerc misjudging his braking point. Carrying excessive speed into the corner, the Monegasque driver locked up his front right tire. Despite attempting to correct, he slid across the grass and collided with a tire barrier on the left side of his car.

Prior to the crash, Leclerc had set the fastest lap time of the session at 1:13.885 on soft tires, indicating he was pushing the limits. Fortunately, he emerged from the incident unharmed and apologized to his team via radio.

The session was suspended for approximately 10 minutes to allow for the removal of Leclerc's car and inspection of the damaged barriers.

Leclerc wasn't the only driver struggling with grip during the early stages of FP1. George Russell and Lando Norris both had off-track excursions, while Kimi Antonelli, Franco Colapinto, and Lewis Hamilton all experienced spins. These incidents suggest drivers were grappling with track conditions and searching for the car's limit.

The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and the importance of precision.