We're approaching the end of the qualifying sims as a number of drivers make their way back to the pits to get ready for a bit of long run action.

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Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"These are important laps for Massa. Because of that crash this morning he only managed seven laps. Massa is just in the throes of building up his confidence."

There's a dash of purple snaking its way around the circuit. That's because Felipe Massa is out with ultra softs on hos Williams. Those tyres help him up into P4 with 1:15.703.

Now it's a full on flex from Lewis Hamilton! (I'll stop talking about muscles now).

Moments after Max Versappen had improved with a 1:15.259, Hamilton goes and puts down a 1:14.941. That's with the softs on, too. Verstappen set his time on the quicker super softs.

...and there's the flex. Well, it's more of a muscle twitch in terms of a Mercedes show of strength but Lewis Hamilton does enough to nip into P1. He does a 1:15.443.

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That track is getting cleaner and cleaner and consequently it's a bit of a merry-go-round at the top of the timesheet. Max Verstappen does a 1:15.920 to go into P1, Daniel Ricciardo knocks him off soon after but Verstappen is swiftly back on top with a 1:15.442.

We've yet to seen either Mercedes truly flex their muscles yet...

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Speaking of Fernando Alonso, he currently has the sixth fastest time at the moment with 1:15.945. 

No time set at all by Jenson Button, who had a troubled first practice as an oil leak hampered his track time.

Image source, AP

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Many drivers are being asked about their contractual situations this year and, oddly given that he has another 18 months to run on his, so on Thursday was Fernando Alonso. He made a little joke of it, saying: ‘I will see next year around summer time or something, so for the next 12 months I will not speak about the future or it will be long press conferences.’ 

Alonso has said for a while now that his decision about whether to continue in F1 trying for that elusive third title will be based on how he feels about the 2017 cars and, particularly, tyres. "There are many changes coming, in terms of regulations, tyres, performance which could make F1 attractive once again to drive," he said, "whereas now it is a little frustrating how we drive these cars and you save everything. It is against your instinct." 

The questioner’s premise was that Alonso will by next year have spent three years at McLaren not being in a position to compete for the title, but the 34-year-old said he would not be so sure about that. "It is not that unlikely we will fight for the championship next year. Who knows? The rule change is a possibility for all of us. Teams in the midfield know we could have a good chance next year to recover a lot of the gap. Things are quite open for next year and I am not thinking right now we are not in that fight."

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Lewis Hamilton takes his place at the top of the timesheet after doing a 1:17.564 but he is swiftly displaced by Force India Nico Hulkenberg, who clocks a 1:16.533. Then another Force India takes P1 as Sergio Perez clocks 1:16.203.

Force India have been pretty impressive so far this season.

A couple of times popping up on the board, set by Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto but the first proper effort comes from Sebastian Vettel as he posts a 1:17.815.

Marcus Ericsson then skips over the chicane. Something a number of drivers did in first practice as they explored how late they could leave it before hitting the brakes.

Lewis Hamilton isn't wasting any time. He is out nice and early with soft tyres bolted on his Mercedes.

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One hour and 30 minutes of second practice is under way. Rio Haryanto, as ever, is one of the first out on track. He's closely followed by Kimi Raikkonen.

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Postpublished at 18:58 British Summer Time 10 June 2016

18:58 BST 10 June 2016

It's a lovely day in Montreal, although some rain is forecast to hit over the weekend. 

For now, the fans are lapping up the sun.

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"What did we learn from the first session? Not very much. It was all about cleaning up the track and putting rubber down. Now it is a bit more representative so this session we should really learn about the pace of the cars."

Whereas one Brit finished top of the rankings in first practice, Jolyon Palmer of Renault was at the opposite end and finished last. 

Still there's always second practice...

Image source, EPA

No sighting of the Canadian GP's most famous furry friend - the groundhog - just yet, but they are there, and they've already made their mark...