Alex Albon collides with groundhog in Canadian Grand Prix practice

By Scott Hunt, Press Association F1 Reporter, Montreal

Alex Albon crashed into the barriers after hitting a groundhog in practice at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Williams confirmed that the 30-year-old was unable to avoid the local inhabitant as he rounded turn seven.

🔴 RED FLAG 🔴

Alex Albon has had a crash in his Williams 😱

He is out of the car and ok#F1 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/jca4LWx6ot

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 22, 2026

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve sits in Parc Jean-Drapeau on Montreal’s Isle Notre Dame and groundhogs on track have become a regular feature during race weekends over the years.

Williams were left with a major repair job to do ahead of sprint qualifying later on Friday as Albon – a huge animal lover whose pets have their own Instagram account – headed back to the garage with over half the sole practice session remaining.