EL1: Hamilton monopolizes the lead in Montreal

Rain threatened this first practice session and the lesson of Monaco pushed the drivers to quickly take to the Montreal track. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) retained the lead for most of the session which was only interrupted for 12 minutes following the exit of the track by Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham). The Briton finished with a time of 1:15:564, 118 thousandths ahead of Sebastian Vettel. The pilot Red Bull had however put on the super soft tyres, but the German was disturbed by the traffic on the track which occurred at the end of the session. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) also place themselves at the forefront, failing by two tenths. Mark Webber (Red Bull), who also took the red sidewall tires, completes the top five by three tenths.

Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) and Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber) also stand out, four tenths behind the 2008 world champion. Sergio Perez (Sauber) and Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) are seven tenths behind while Jenson Button completes the top ten with only 12 laps completed. The Briton still seems to be struggling with his car since his mechanics removed the rear wing and the gearbox before the end of the session. The Lotus drivers appear behind despite the use of super soft tires since Romain Grosjean is only 14th ahead of his teammate Kimi Räikkönen. But the residents of the stableenstone were the most diligent on the track with respectively 36 and 42 laps completed. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso) follows in 16th place ahead of his teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Charles Pic (Marussia) set the final time of the session, one tenth behind his teammate Timo Glock.

The second free practice session will take place from 20 p.m. Paris time.