Mercedes’ George Russell was fourth fastest, from Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and McLaren’s Lando Norris on a track that was obviously slippery and dirty.

Championship leaders McLaren appeared to struggle. Norris had a number of moments around the demanding Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and finished up 12th.

The Briton’s team-mate Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, was 14th as McLaren tested a new front wing and front suspension.

The wing is a test item that is not expected to be used after Friday, but the suspension is aimed at curing the ‘numb’ feeling in the car’s front axle that has particularly affected Norris this season.

But Norris went off track on the exit of Turn One and came close to losing control at the hairpin a number of times.

Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Leclerc completed the top 10. Gasly’s team-mate Franco Colapinto had an early spin at Turn Two without harm and ended up 19th.

Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda was 11th, 0.734secs behind team-mate Verstappen, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso 12th.