Norris Fastest in Final Practice as Piastri Hits the Wall

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 14: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.Mark Thompson/Getty Images/AFP
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 14: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.Mark Thompson/Getty Images/AFP
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Norris Fastest in Final Practice as Piastri Hits the Wall

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 14: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.Mark Thompson/Getty Images/AFP
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 14: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.Mark Thompson/Getty Images/AFP

Lando Norris lapped fastest in final Canadian Grand Prix practice on Saturday as Formula One leader and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri hit Montreal's wall of champions.

Norris lapped the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in one minute 11.799 seconds, 0.078 quicker than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc who was back on track after crashing on Friday and missing second practice.

The Briton had described the previous day's practice as McLaren's worst Friday of the season but appeared more comfortable in the last track time before qualifying.

Mercedes' 2024 pole-sitter George Russell was third, 0.151 off the pace, with Ferrari's seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton fourth and 0.251 slower than Norris.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, chasing an unprecedented fourth successive Canadian win on Sunday, was fifth fastest with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso sixth.

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was seventh and Piastri eighth, with the Australian briefly triggering red flags when he skimmed the famed wall at the last corner and scattered debris with 37 minutes to go.

The championship leader was able to get back out again with 24 minutes remaining.

The Australian leads Norris by 10 points after nine of 24 rounds.

Carlos Sainz was ninth fastest for Williams with teammate Alex Albon 10th.



Saudi Arabia and Qatar Gain Home Advantage in Next Asia Qualifiers for 2026 World Cup

File Photo: The World Cup Trophy displayed ahead of the draw of the groups of the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. AFP
File Photo: The World Cup Trophy displayed ahead of the draw of the groups of the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. AFP
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Saudi Arabia and Qatar Gain Home Advantage in Next Asia Qualifiers for 2026 World Cup

File Photo: The World Cup Trophy displayed ahead of the draw of the groups of the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. AFP
File Photo: The World Cup Trophy displayed ahead of the draw of the groups of the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. AFP

Saudi Arabia and Qatar drew home advantage in the fourth round of Asia qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday.

In October, Qatar will host Group A that also contains the United Arab Emirates and Oman, The Associated Press said.

Saudi Arabia welcomes Iraq and Indonesia into Group B.

The winner of each round-robin group will take Asia’s last two remaining automatic spots at next summer’s tournament, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The teams that finish second will then meet, with the winner progressing to inter-confederation playoffs, which are scheduled for March 2026.

Six teams from Asia secured qualification last month: Japan, Iran, South Korea and Australia have all participated numerous times, while Jordan and Uzbekistan will make their first appearance.