Fernando Alonso mastered soaking wet conditions at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to set the pace in final practice for the Canadian Grand Prix, the Spaniard edging out Pierre Gasly.

Alpine’s Alonso set a 1m 33.836s on the intermediate tyres, 0.053s ahead of Gasly in the AlphaTauri with Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel just 0.002s further back in third.

Full wet weather tyres were required in the early stages of the one-hour session, thanks to persistent light rain that had hung around all morning in Montreal.

When the drivers did head out, conditions looked tricky and they were battling to keep control of lairy rear ends as they searched for grip.

But they had to persist with running, as qualifying later on Saturday is expected to be wet and any data gathered would be useful. Rain continued throughout final practice and led to a mixed-up order.

Esteban Ocon made it two Alpines in the top four with fourth, ahead of McLaren duo Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris.

George Russell was the best-placed Mercedes in seventh, ahead of the two Red Bulls of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, who left it until the final 20 minutes to hit the track.

Championship leader Verstappen had a spin at Turn 2 but kept the car out of the barriers as he slid across the grass before rejoining.

Carlos Sainz completed the top 10, while his Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc was the only driver not to set a lap time, with his car up on jacks for the majority of the session.