Against a backdrop of protest that has threatened to spoil some of the ambiance surrounding Canadian Grand Prix celebrations in downtown Montreal, McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton served notice Friday that he would be a force to be reckoned with in Sunday's F1 classic at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
Hamilton, who's won the Canadian GP twice in his five-year F1 career - 2007 and 2010 - was atop the time sheets at the conclusion of both practice sessions Friday in which the 24 cars and drivers prepared for an officially qualifying session Saturday afternoon that will set the field for Sunday's 2 p.m. race.
During the second 90-minute workout, Hamilton -- who won the world driver's championship in 2008 -- got down to a time of one-minute, 15:259 seconds (208.607 kp/h), a tick faster than second-fastest Fernando Alonso, who was in a Ferrari. His 1:15:313 was just that much faster than his teammate, Felipe Massa, who scored a 1:15:410.
Two-time world champion Sebastien Vettel was fourth for Red Bull-Renault, with Paul di Resta driving a Force India-Ferrari into fifth place.
The rest of the top ten: Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), Nico Hulkenberg (Force India,) Jenson Button (McLaren) and Nico Rosberg (Mercedes).
Hamilton's quick time was well off last year's pole of 1:13:014 set by Red Bull's Vettel. But the teams and drivers were handcuffed by changing weather conditions in both sessions that went from bright sunshine to dark clouds, sometimes in a matter of minutes.
In fact, seconds after the second practice wrapped up, a heavy shower drenched the circuit.
There were two accidents -- Heikki Kovalainen crashed his Caterham mid-way through the morning session between turns four and five and Bruno Senna, nephew of the legendary Ayrton Senna, lost control of his Williams-Renault in the second practice, spinning backwards into the wall approaching the front straight.
Neither driver was injured; Kovalainen's car was repaired in time for him to turn 16th fastest time in the second session and Senna's will be ready by the time third and last practice rolls around on Saturday morning.
By the way, the usual, large, Friday crowd was in attendance and the atmosphere was festive, as it always is at Grand Prix time in Montreal.
There is a strong police and security presence at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and any organized protest would have a difficult time getting to the circuit, considering the number of roadblocks and police checks between downtown and Ilse Notre-Dame where the race is being held.
Downtown is another matter. Police again pepper-sprayed and kettled protesting students and their supporters Thursday night but organizers vowed to continue trying to disrupt Grand Prix celebrations during the weekend, particularly the Crescent Street festival that traditionally attracts thousands of participants.
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