WATCH LIVE: FP2 for the Canadian Grand Prix on NBCSN and Live Extra from 2pm ET - MotorSportsTalk

Lewis Hamilton started as he means to go on in Montreal by topping the first free practice session on Friday morning ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg and Lotus driver Romain Grosjean.

The Canadian Grand Prix has been a happy hunting ground for Hamilton throughout his F1 career, given that he has never finished off the podium when seeing the checkered flag.

The Briton will be hoping to send out another warning shot to the rest of the field in the second free practice session in Montreal on Friday, which kicks off at 2pm ET.

You can watch FP2 for the Canadian Grand Prix live on NBCSN and Live Extra from 2pm ET on Friday. CLICK HERE to watch via live stream.

Mercedes’ dominance in FP1 was clear as Romain Grosjean finished some 1.5 seconds down on the Silver Arrows in third place. Ferrari does appear to be leading the way for the final podium position, but with a 60% chance of a safety car, the Italian marque could yet spring a surprise in Canada this weekend.

However, with engine power being so important around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, it comes as little surprise that the Mercedes-powered cars are running strongly. Six of the top ten in FP1 were powered by the German marque, and a repeat result may be on the cards for FP2.

Be sure to read our full grand prix preview and make note of the full broadcasting schedule for this weekend’s race.

You can watch FP2 for the Canadian Grand Prix live on NBCSN and Live Extra from 2pm ET on Friday. CLICK HERE to watch via live stream.

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In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

Read more about SuperMotocross