MONTREAL – Paul Di Resta of the Force India team posted the fasted lap on a wet track Friday in the first practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Di Resta completed the 2-mile Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 1 minute 21.020 seconds, which was relatively slow because of the conditions.
Jenson Button of McLaren was second in 1:21.108, and Romain Grosjean third in Lotus at 1:21.258.
The asphalt was still wet from morning rain when the 90-minute session opened. But after a half hour, the handful of early starters had established a dry racing line.
The top times were set in the frantic final laps when with nearly all the cars on the track.
Several teams tried out Pirelli's new prototype tires, but only for a few laps.
Nico Rosberg, gunning for a fourth straight pole position, set the early pace for Mercedes but was seventh.
Fernando Alonso was fourth, Formula One driver's championship leader Sebastian Vettel was ninth with his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber at 10th. Defending champion Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes was 16th.
Pastor Maldonado hit a wall late in the session and damaged his front wing. Jules Bianchi's Marissia stopped on a slick road after 41 minutes, ending his session. Several others, including Button and Hamilton, had minor slides but kept going.
Qualifying is Saturday with the race on Sunday.
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