Canadian GP: Max Verstappen seals practice double for Red Bull as Lewis Hamilton remains off the pace

Max Verstappen topped the timesheet in both of Friday’s practice sessions; Charles Leclerc second amid speculation he will take a grid penalty for Sunday’s race; watch Practice Three live on Sky Sports F1 at 6pm on Saturday, with Qualifying following from 9pm

Max Verstappen topped both Canadian GP practice sessions on Friday

Max Verstappen sealed a Canadian GP practice double as he topped Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in Friday’s second session.

The world championship leader appeared in supreme form as he led Practice Two from almost start to finish at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, recording a 1:14.127 to beat Leclerc by almost a tenth of a second.

Leclerc, who is expected to incur at least a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race amid speculation he will opt take a new engine part, was the only driver able to get near Verstappen, with his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Saiz more than a tenth further back in third.

Having pushed Verstappen hard in recent weeks, Sergio Perez was on this occasion no match for his Red Bull team-mate, more than a second off the Dutchman down in 11th.

Also struggling once more was Lewis Hamilton, with the seven-time world champion describing his Mercedes as “undriveable” as he finished 13th, while his team-mate George Russell was seventh.

Taking advantage of Perez and Mercedes’ struggles were former world champions Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, who impressed in taking fourth for Aston Martin and fifth for Alpine, respectively.

More to follow…