George Russell showcased his prowess by setting the fastest time in the second practice session of the Canadian Grand Prix on Friday. The Mercedes driver clocked an impressive 1:12.123, outpacing Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen, who had led the earlier session with a time of 1:13.193.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari was forced to sit out the later session after a crash in the first practice, leaving his team with significant repair work. Meanwhile, Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, returning after missing the Spanish Grand Prix due to hand and wrist pain, crashed at Turn 7 during the second practice, damaging the front left suspension of his car.

Russell's performance was closely followed by McLaren's Lando Norris, who was just 0.028 seconds behind. Verstappen, despite his earlier success, struggled in the second session, finishing ninth and expressing concerns over his car's handling over the radio.

Mercedes demonstrated strong form, with rookie Kimi Antonelli setting the third-best time, just 0.288 seconds off the pace. McLaren, leading the championship, had a slower start to the weekend until Norris' lap, while Oscar Piastri tested new upgrades, including a front wing.

Williams' Alex Albon showed consistency, finishing second and fourth in the sessions, though he missed his garage during a pit stop and had to circle back. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso also had notable performances, ending the day in third and fifth places, respectively.

Leclerc's crash at the second chicane brought out the red flags, causing extensive damage to his Ferrari and necessitating a replacement of the survival cell. As the teams prepare for the race, the competition remains fierce, with Russell emerging as a strong contender for pole position.