Verstappen takes the test entry controls

Under the Montreal sun, Verstappen beat Spain’s Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) by 246/1000 and Fernando Alonso (Alpine) by 373/1000 at a distance of 4.361 km from the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

In this first hour of testing, the championship-leading team saw its other driver, Sergio Perez, take the fourth time, ahead of Verstappen’s declared title rival, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).

Leclerc uses a new engine, whose power unit from last Sunday in Baku became “unrepairable” according to the Scuderia.

‘No decision has been made’

In Azerbaijan, Ferrari suffered another disappointment with a double retirement due to mechanical issues. She explained that the Italian team is working on “counter measures to strengthen the engine group,” stressing that the situation is “under control.”

Leclerc is not currently sanctioned on the starting grid on Sunday, having not – yet – exceeded the number of engine components authorized per season.

This could change if Ferrari decides to install a fourth turbocharger on the one-seat Monaco, which would then take 10 penalty places.

“At the moment no decision has been made,” Leclerc said Friday morning, noting that the Canadian circuit was not the worst place to receive this punishment. We will discuss it and try to make the best decision. »

For Japanese Yuki Tsunoda, whose AlphaTauri is equipped with a fourth engine, beyond the limit, the ax has already fallen: he will start at the back of the grid on Sunday.