Kimi Antonelli topped the Canadian Grand Prix practice, beating teammate George Russell by 0.142 seconds. The Italian’s pace cemented Mercedes’ one‑two, while the session was halted after Alex Albon’s Williams struck a groundhog exiting Turn Seven, sending the car into the barriers and prompting a red flag. The incident also prompted a safety review of wildlife management at the circuit.

Russell needed two flying laps to approach Antonelli before spinning and lightly touching the wall on his third attempt, escaping damage. A major Mercedes upgrade trimmed the gap to Lewis Hamilton, who was third fastest in the Ferrari, 0.774 seconds off the lead. Hamilton out‑qualified Charles Leclerc by 0.179 seconds, showing the upgrade’s impact, demonstrating Mercedes’ renewed competitiveness.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen recorded the fifth‑quickest time, 0.964 seconds shy of Antonelli, while McLaren’s Lando Norris led teammate Oscar Piastri after the team deployed the second phase of its upgrade package. The practice disruptions and Mercedes’ speed surge set a tense tone for Saturday’s sprint qualifying, where grid positions will hinge on these significantly newfound differentials and could reshape championship narratives.