Alex Albon's first practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix ended abruptly after he struck a groundhog on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Williams driver lost control while trying to avoid the animal, crashing into the barriers at the turn 6-7 chicane and causing significant damage to the left side of his car.
The incident prompted a second red flag in FP1, following an earlier stoppage due to a mechanical failure on Liam Lawson's car. Albon underwent medical checks and was reported to be unharmed, but the crash added to his frustrations after scoring his first point of the season in Miami.
Track organisers typically attempt to relocate groundhogs from the island before the race weekend, but some remain. The session was halted for 20 minutes for repairs before resuming. Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz noted Albon's fondness for animals, saying, 'You could not find more of an animal lover.'
Max Verstappen initially set the pace, but Oscar Piastri eventually topped the timesheets for McLaren. The session also saw disruption for Lawson, who reported steering and hydraulic issues.
