The seven-time world champion said on Thursday he felt a first podium of the season was not far away after signs of progress in Monaco last time out. And in the first dry session of the weekend on Montreal’s Ile Notre-Dame, Hamilton finished over three tenths clear of Max Verstappen with his Mercedes team-mate George Russell in third. Ferrari came into the weekend as favourites for victory with many observers but Monaco winner Charles Leclerc was only 10th with team-mate Carlos Sainz 12th. Friday’s two practice sessions were disrupted by rain at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso topping the second running after Norris had gone fastest in the first. Rain is forecast to possibly be a factor in qualifying later on Saturday and Sunday’s race.
