The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix opened with excitement as Kimi Antonelli took the spotlight, topping FP1 and leading a commanding Mercedes performance. The session saw Antonelli set the pace ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, making “Kimi Antonelli” the name on everyone’s lips as Mercedes locked out the top two in Montreal. The #Motorsport world was treated to a thrilling start, with #Formula1 fans eagerly following every lap of this #CanadianGP session.
Kimi Antonelli Leads the Way in Montreal
From the opening laps, it was clear that Kimi Antonelli was in superb form. The Mercedes driver delivered a standout performance, clocking a fastest time of 1:13.402 over 33 laps. Close behind, George Russell secured second place for Mercedes with a time of 1:13.544 after completing 35 laps. This strong showing gave Mercedes an early edge at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Top Three: Mercedes and Ferrari in Focus
Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top three, finishing FP1 just behind his former teammate with a time of 1:14.176 for Ferrari. The results set up an intriguing battle for the rest of the weekend, with both Mercedes drivers and Hamilton all featuring prominently in the early running.
Competitive Field and Standout Performances
The session was packed with action as drivers like Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen kept the pressure on from fourth and fifth positions, respectively. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri also delivered competitive times for McLaren, while experienced names such as Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg added depth to the field.
With Kimi Antonelli’s impressive pace and Mercedes’ dominance in FP1, anticipation is building for what promises to be an electrifying Canadian Grand Prix weekend. As fans look ahead to qualifying and race day, all eyes will remain on the top contenders who have already set a blistering standard in Montreal.
