Overview
- Alex Albon struck a groundhog exiting Turn 7 during Free Practice 1 on Friday, crashed heavily into the barriers and walked away uninjured.
- Williams found the damage required replacement of the gearbox and power unit, which prevented Albon from taking part in sprint qualifying.
- Race stewards later permitted Albon to start the sprint from 21st on the grid despite not setting a lap time.
- Pierre Gasly ran over a groundhog during Saturday qualifying and continued with floor damage, underscoring a recurring wildlife problem at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
- Animal‑welfare group PETA praised Albon’s avoidance attempt and urged stronger deterrents, and observers note the track’s island location and the sprint format’s limited practice time increase the competitive and safety costs of repeated animal incursions.