Bottas quickest in Canada GP FP1 as CCTV problems cut session short

Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas put in the fastest lap time as CCTV problems left the pack with very, very limited running in Free Practice 1 of the Canadian Grand Prix. 

As the pit exit light went green, the field quickly peeled out onto the circuit to gather data and valuable information on the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve. However, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly ignited problems as his A523 suffered a mechanical problem with its driveshaft.

The red flag was brought out due to the Frenchman. However, it was quickly discovered that the red flag was brought out for another reason – problems with the CCTV. The problem meant it was unsafe for the drivers to get out on track.

The organisers were at work to try and resolve the issue so then the drivers and teams could get back out on track.

At the time of the red flag, Bottas topped the timing boards with an early 1:18.728 lap ahead of both Aston Martins who occupied second and third. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth respectively.

In an embarrassing moment for Mercedes, both of their drivers: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, were pushed back into their garage after the team had mistimed their estimations on when the red flag would be lifted.

It was later reported by race control:

“The delay will be longer as the CCTV is not synced correctly and until the issue has been fixed we cannot run on track. 

“This system is a local installation and they are continuing to work to resolve the problem. 

“The clock will continue to run down on FP1 [Free Practice 1] and the session won’t be extended as there must be 2.5hrs between FP1 and FP2 [Free Practice 2]. 

“We are looking at options to extend FP2.” 

Of the drivers, only 12 secured managed to secure a lap time on the board – the remainder were caught out by the red flag. 

With 10 minutes left to go on the clock, race control decided to bring free practice to a premature end. However, the officials have agreed to extend FP2 by 30 minutes which will get underway at 4:30pm local time (9:30pm BST).

That’s all for the article: Bottas quickest in Canada GP FP1 as CCTV problems cut session short!

Read more Formula 1 here:

• James Key to join Alfa Romeo F1 as Technical Director
• Spanish GP: Verstappen dominates race to secure 40th F1 win
• Gasly slapped with six-place grid drop for Spanish GP
• Spanish GP: Verstappen on pole as Gasly and Russell go to stewards
• Spanish GP: Verstappen fastest in FP2 one-tenth ahead of Alonso
• Spanish GP: Verstappen flies to the top seven-tenths ahead of Perez

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.