the team boss adamant every new part that’s been put on the car this season has “earned their place”.
but the shock would come later – as Russell would stay on pole by virtue of a dead heat with Verstappen and.
But Norris regained the lead until he opted to stay out for a couple more laps as the drivers swapped onto the slicks and that too cost him the top spot with Verstappen able to move past the McLaren after the pit exit.
Alpine did announce he’d sit out the opening practice session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve so that reserve driver Jack Doohan could tick off one of the team’s two rookie FP1 slots.
Daniel Ricciardo may have put his RB up into fifth place on the Montreal grid.