07 June,2015 08:38 AM IST | | AFP
Lewis Hamilton topped the times and then crashed into the barriers in his Mercedes car in heavy rain that curtailed Friday’s second practice for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix
Montreal: Lewis Hamilton topped the times and then crashed into the barriers in his Mercedes car in heavy rain that curtailed Friday's second practice for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix.
The defending world champion and current series leader was unhurt and walked away after aquaplaning into the barriers at the hairpin at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve when a downpour midway through the 90 minutes' action brought it to a halt.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton slams into the wall after sliding off the track during Canadian GP practice on Friday. Pic/AFP
Two 30-year-old Briton, a two-time world champion, had topped the times in Friday morning's opening free practice session ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and the pair were more than 1.5 seconds clear of the field.
In his accident, Hamilton lost control and was unable to stop his car sliding into the wall at the tight and tricky track that has a record for accidents and incidents.
"We wanted to do some clutch calibration work and this is how it ended," said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. "I think he just aquaplaned. The front wing is gone, but hopefully no more. He was pretty quick. He's fastest on the time-sheets, but I won't read too much into it. It's just one of those days, one of those Fridays when it is difficult to get a lap together."