The morning rain had long-cleared for the second free practice session of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend and it was Lewis Hamilton’s lap recorded ten minutes ahead of the chequered flag that would top the timesheets for McLaren and last year’s race winner.
In grey overcast conditions the championship leader recorded a best lap of 1:15.752s, nearly three-tenths of a second clear of Robert Kubica in the leading BMW Sauber. While there were no major issues for the most of the front-runners, four of the 20 drivers were unable to complete the session.
Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest for Ferrari, just over three-tenths shy of Hamilton while team-mate Felipe Massa’s F2008 ground to a halt with a suspected hydraulic issue late in the session. The Brazilian had been fifth at the time and while he lost his final stint on soft rubber, he retained in the position to the chequered flag.
Heikki Kovalainen recorded the fourth best time in the 90-minute session ahead of Massa and Nick Heidfeld in the second BMW Sauber. A late push from Mark Webber saw the Australian first spin, and then vault up the timing sheets to seventh position in his Red Bull Renault. Team-mate David Coulthard also went off track on his final charge and he had to be content with 12th position.
Nico Rosberg set the eighth best time in his Williams Toyota, just over a second down on the ultimate pace with team-mate Kazuki Nakajima four-tenths adrift in 11th place. A solid session for Sebastian Vettel saw him end Friday with the ninth best time in what is the second race weekend with the STR3 package.
Jarno Trulli had an eventful Friday practice with numerous spins and slides.
The Italian veteran went on to set the tenth best time in his Toyota while team-mate Timo Glock brushed the wall exiting turn four and damaged the front right suspension on his TF108. Glock was 13th at the time and would drop two further positions by the flag.
Honda really looked to be struggling for pace through much of the afternoon session but Rubens Barrichello at least was able to haul the disappointing RA108 up to 13th position ahead of the ever-green Giancarlo Fisichella in the leading Force India Ferrari. Sebastien Bourdais was 16th in the second Toro Rosso behind Glock.
It was a nightmare of a session for the Renault team with both drivers hitting problems. Nelson Piquet missed half of the session after he suddenly abandoned his lap and pulled into the pits and stopped the R28 with a mechanical problem. With smoke pouring from the rear brakes the car was pushed away and not seen again leaving Piquet to sit frustrated on the pit wall.
Fernando Alonso survived one spin at turn two but the second one caught the Spaniard out as the car stalled and that was the end of his session. Alonso was 17th and Piquet was 20th and slowest. Adrian Sutil and Jenson Button split the unfortunate Renault drivers in 18th and 19th positions respectively.
F1 : Hamilton tops Friday practice - Montreal - F1-Live.com
Canadian Grand Prix 2008
