Length: 4.361 km
Number of Laps: 70 (305.270 Km)
Best Lap: R. Barrichello- 1'13''622 (2004, Ferrari)
Record Pole: R. Schumacher - 1'12''275 (2004, Williams)
2006 Pole: F. Alonso - 1'14''942 (Renault)
2006 Podium: F. Alonso - M. Schumacher - K. Raikkonen

The world champion was two tenths of a second quicker than teammate Lewis Hamilton, while the Ferraris were within four tenths of Alonso time as they took third and fourth.

With the little-used track extremely dusty, only a handful of drivers ventured out in the first third of the session, with the Toyotas leading the times at first.

They were usurped by the Ferraris after 50 minutes, as Kimi Raikkonen moved to the top with a 1:18.136 on his second lap, 0.031 seconds ahead of Felipe Massa's first effort. Hamilton then deposed them with a 1:18.005 shortly afterwards.

When Alonso emerged, he commenced a long stint that began with a string of ever-quicker laptimes, as he closed in on his teammate's benchmark and ultimately surpassed it with a 1:17.559 on his seventh lap.

Hamilton improved on his second run, but only found a tenth and would remain second, while a potentially better lap by Alonso was spoilt by a sideways moment at the final chicane.

Mark Webber vaulted to fifth for Red Bull with his last lap of the session, ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella.

Nick Heidfeld took seventh but his teammate Robert Kubica failed to set a time - the BMW mechanics having to use fire extinguishers on the rear of the Pole's car when he returned to the pits after aborting his first run.

Despite taking to the Turn 8 grass on his final lap, Ralf Schumacher ended up eighth for Toyota, ahead of David Coulthard, who also had several brief trips off the road.

Last minute improvements by Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato brought the Super Aguris up to 10th and 11th, with Jarno Trulli completed the top 12.

For the first time since Sepang, there was a test driver amongst the Friday practice field. With no clashing GP2 commitment this time, Kazuki Nakajima returned to action for Williams, replacing Nico Rosberg for the morning and setting the 17th fastest time on his first experience of the Montreal track.