Under the Montreal sun, Verstappen beat the two Spaniards Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) by 246/1000th and Fernando Alonso (Alpine) by 373/1000th over the 4.361 km of the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit.

For this first hour of testing, the championship-leading team saw its other driver, Sergio Pérez, take 4th time, ahead of Verstappen's declared rival for the title, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).

Leclerc is using a new engine, with his power unit from last Sunday in Baku being "irreparable" according to the Scuderia.

In Azerbaijan, Ferrari experienced further disappointment with a double retirement due to mechanical problems.

The Italian team is working on "countermeasures to strengthen the engine package", she explained, assuring that the situation was "under control".

Leclerc is currently not penalized on the starting grid on Sunday, having not - yet - exceeded the number of engine components authorized per season.

This could change if Ferrari decides to fit a 4th turbocharger on the Monegasque single-seater, which would then take 10 penalty places.

"For the moment no decision has been made," Leclerc said Friday morning, noting that the Canadian circuit was not the worst place to take this penalty.

"We will discuss it and try to make the best decision."

For the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda, whose AlphaTauri is equipped with a fourth engine, beyond the limit, the ax has already fallen: he will start at the back of the grid on Sunday.

The Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton took the 6th and 8th times, surrounding the local of the stage Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).

The other Canadian, Nicholas Latifi (Williams), is second to last.

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1st free practice session:

Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:15.158 (27 laps)

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1:15.404 (34)

Fernando Alonso (ESP/Alpine-Renault) 1:15.531 (31)

Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:15.619 (32)

Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:15.666 (30)

George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:15.822 (29)

Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:15.877 (32)

Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:15.877 (27)

Sebastian Vettel (GER/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:16.041 (33)

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:16.083 (29)

Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:16.165 (29)

Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:16.211 (17)

Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:16.308 (29)

Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:16.322 (33)

Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:16.421 (26)

Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo) 1:16.426 (27)

Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo) 1:17.152 (30)

Mick Schumacher (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:17.223 (25)

Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) 1:17.241 (33)

Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:17.555 (31)

© 2022 AFP