Fernando Alonso led the way on Friday in free practice for the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix as Ferrari appeared set to rebound from a poor race in Monaco a fortnight ago.

Former world champion Alonso posted 1 minute 14.818 seconds on the 4.361km Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and team-mate Felipe Massa was sixth fastest, less than half a second behind.

The results were encouragement for the Italian team after Alonso had to settle for seventh and Massa had an accident in Monte Carlo on May 26.

Lewis Hamilton placed second for Mercedes in 1:14.830 but the German team’s race pace is considered inferior to that of other teams, although Nico Rosberg won in Monaco.

Romain Grosjean was third on the time sheets in 1:15.083 after a series of mishaps in the last race, Red Bull’s Mark Webber was fourth followed by Rosberg.

Red Bull’s world champion Sebastian Vettel was only seventh in his Red Bull and Grosjean’s Lotus team-mate Kimi Raikkonnen 11th behind Australian Daniel Ricciardo in a Toro Rosso.

Paul di Resta, who had posted the fastest time on a drying track in the morning, was 13th in the second session in what is the 100th Formula One race of his Force India team.

Vettel goes into Sunday’s seventh season race top of the standings on 107 points, with Raikkonen on 86 and Alonso on 78.

Qualifying in Montreal is Saturday and the race Sunday.

The teams were able to test prototype Pirelli tyres on Friday ahead of a possible introduction of the rubber at the following race in Britain.

The Canadian GP will have no changes to the tyres which have come under criticism for degrading too quickly.