The good performance of the Spanish Alpine in free practice invites optimism, but that was already seen in Azerbaijan and was not such a success. Verstappen, the fastest featured
While by sheer stats the big favorite for this Saturday’s pole in Canada will be Charles Leclerc, it’s far from winning the race. To an unfortunate statistic referring to the pole-win ratio as he has six of the first and only two of the second this year, there is a Max Verstappen who was brilliant in the two training sessions.
The first day of work on the island of Notre Dame, besides making it clear that it is a very wild area as evidenced by a marmot that nearly ran over Carlos Sainz, confirmed that this is going to be a very even weekend. So much so that despite Sainz finishing 3rd, he left very good feelings.
The dreaded ‘porpoises’ were more noticeable in the afternoon than in the morning. It was no coincidence either: between the first and second free practice, the FIA announced that no punitive measures would be taken against those who exceeded the measures they are required to adopt. This means that the rebound, which was so difficult for all drivers in Azerbaijan, was reduced here… relatively. And it is that in the former there was hardly any, but in the latter it was especially noteworthy. “It’s very serious,” Sainz lamented.
Another Friday, the protagonist was Fernando Alonso. Third in the first free practice, fifth in the second, there are great prospects for the Spaniard. The problem is that in Baku he did the same and ended up disappointing. No one should take it for granted that this good result will be repeated in qualifying, so much so that the Mercedes is expected to be one step ahead. George Russell, for example, finished 7th and his natural one-lap position should be ahead of the Spaniard, but there it is: if he gets a clean lap, Alonso may be able to get a good result.
We will also have to wait and see what Ferrari decides with the turbo from Leclerc. The blowout of his Ferrari in Baku left that engine unusable, but while they were able to salvage some parts, the turbo is one of the elements that will eventually have to be replaced. They would decide next Friday after practice, as the 10-position penalty he must meet should be considered for a circuit, as is the case in Canada, where he can overtake.
To add more spice, we will have to be very attentive to the sky. Already in free practice there was a constant threat of a storm like the one that destroyed the track on Thursday, although it did not affect the drivers on track.
While much has been clarified, Fernando Alonso has to think very carefully about his future. The Asturian knows that with a bit of luck, he could be in Formula 1 for up to 2025 and what may be his last contract before a final withdrawal (at least from the Great Circus) is a major decision.
Before going out to roll, Alonso reacted to it. “I have read things. I’m waiting for the summer holidays to make decisions. There has been no news, I have not spoken to anyone and nothing has happened,” he assured. The truth is that everything depends not only on what he decides, but also on what they do in Alpine with Oscar Piastri and Williams. The English team want Renault engines, they can do without Nicholas Latifi’s ballast and the young Australian is looking forward to signing, but as always in Formula 1 until it’s signed and closed nothing can be taken for granted.
Between jokes, Sebastian Vettel, with whom Alonso shared a press conference, hinted that if both could be here in 2026. “How old will we be in 2026, Fernando? You will be 46 years old and I am the age you are now. We have to keep going, don’t we?’, joked the four-time champion. There’s nothing to indicate that neither one nor the other will be on the starting grid by then (maybe they’ve long left), but it’s still newsworthy that two riders who made history for this generation are continuing that desire.
Source: La Verdad
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