Canadian GP FP2: Russell leads Mercedes charge, while McLaren comes back

The second practice session for the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix has wrapped up under cool but clear skies in Montréal, and if the timesheets are anything to go by, we could be in for an incredibly tight battle this weekend. With an air temperature of just 19°C but a track temperature of 35.8°C, the teams and drivers worked through their run plans at the iconic Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, searching for the optimal setup ahead of a crucial qualifying day. While the session ran without major incidents, the final classification has certainly thrown up some fascinating talking points.

Mercedes Shines as Russell Sets the Pace

It was Mercedes who grabbed the headlines in FP2, with George Russell putting his car at the very top of the timing screens. The Briton laid down a marker with a blistering lap of 1:12.123, signaling strong intent from the Brackley-based squad. It wasn't just a one-off lap, either; his new teammate for 2025, Kimi Antonelli, backed up the team's performance by securing a remarkable third place, just over two-tenths of a second behind. The early pace suggests Mercedes has found a sweet spot around the demanding kerbs and long straights of the Canadian circuit.

McLaren Hot on Their Heels

Any thoughts of Mercedes running away with it were quickly quashed by Lando Norris. The McLaren driver slotted his car into second position, a mere 0.028s behind Russell's benchmark. This wafer-thin margin highlights the fierce competition at the front, with McLaren continuing to show the formidable pace that has made them consistent front-runners. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, ended the session in sixth, likely focusing on a different run plan as the team gathered crucial long-run data on the medium compound tyres.

A Mixed Bag for the Chasing Pack

While Mercedes and McLaren locked out the top three, the rest of the field painted a picture of a tight and competitive midfield. Alexander Albon delivered a standout performance for Williams, placing his car in an impressive fourth, with Carlos Sainz in the sister car further back in seventh, suggesting the Grove outfit could be a dark horse this weekend.

Fernando Alonso gave the Canadian-owned Aston Martin team something to cheer about by finishing fifth fastest. However, a notable anomaly was the sight of Max Verstappen down in ninth for Red Bull Racing and, even more surprisingly, Charles Leclerc at the bottom of the timesheets, having not set a representative lap time, as his team was busy replacing the chassis of his car after the crash in FP1. Both teams are undoubtedly holding their cards close to their chest, saving their true performance for when it counts.

The session has set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling qualifying battle. Mercedes has emerged as an early favourite, but with McLaren just a breath away and the true pace of Red Bull and Ferrari yet to be revealed, Saturday's fight for pole position is wide open.