A lot of overnight rain saw the first practice session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve begin on full wet tyres, as the drivers slipped and spun their way around to get a feel for the dry line. Gradually, it became time for intermediates, and the usual names appeared at the top of the timesheets, Nico Rosberg, Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel to name but three. Pastor Maldonado spun his Williams with less than five minutes to go, causing yellow flags and leaving behind a front wing. Paul di Resta set the fastest time of the morning after the chequered flag dropped, with Button securing second place.