McLaren’s Lando Norris Takes Top Spot in Disrupted First Practice Session at IndyCar 2023
June 16, 2023 (Source: Indycar News)
In a chaotic first practice session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Lando Norris emerged at the top of the timesheets, clocking a 1:24.435. The session was marred by red flags and disruptions, limiting dry running to only the final few minutes.
The session started promptly at 15:30 local time, but the pit lane remained closed, preventing any on-track action until the light turned green with 35 minutes remaining. Lewis Hamilton was the first to take to the circuit, followed by the rest of the 20-driver field. However, Guanyu Zhou’s spin in sector two brought out the red flag, halting the session after just 11 minutes of running.
“The track conditions were tricky, but I’m pleased we were able to get some valuable running in despite the delays,” said Lando Norris.
Following the second delay, the cars returned to the circuit with 23 minutes remaining. As the conditions improved and grip increased, Carlos Sainz Jr. led Charles Leclerc, with the two Red Bull drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, following closely.
Sergio Pérez briefly jumped to third, only to be surpassed by Valtteri Bottas. With the track drying, most drivers pitted to preserve their intermediate tires, but Charles Leclerc took the bold move of switching to soft compound tires, sparking a flurry of drivers to follow suit. Although times improved, caution prevailed as drivers navigated the newly resurfaced and still-damp track.
Norris ultimately claimed the top spot, with Sainz trailing by +0.328s and Leclerc rounding out the top three, +0.871s behind. Hamilton finished fourth, ahead of Max Verstappen in fifth, while Oscar Piastri secured sixth place. Pierre Gasly’s late charge earned him seventh, as Bottas and Pérez completed the top ten.
- Daniel Ricciardo finished eleventh, followed closely by Yuki Tsunoda in twelfth.
- The rest of the field saw the two Haas cars, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg, in thirteenth and fourteenth, respectively.
- Fernando Alonso, Logan Sargeant, and home favorite Lance Stroll rounded out the drivers who completed a timed lap.
Guanyu Zhou played no further part in the session after his crash, while Jack Doohan only completed a single lap in his first Free Practice One session of the year. Alex Albon was the only other driver not to set a timed lap.
The IndyCar 2023 season is heating up, and this practice session has set the stage for an exciting weekend ahead. Stay tuned for more updates and results from the world of IndyCar news!
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