Formula 1 heads to Montreal, Canada, for the tenth round of the season, home to Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll and his son, driver Lance Stroll.
Lance Stroll is confirmed to participate this weekend after missing the Spanish Grand Prix race two weeks prior. He had taken part in qualifying but withdrew due to a wrist injury.
The race at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal is known for exciting overtaking opportunities, challenging unforgiving walls, and even occasional groundhogs venturing onto the track, which can sometimes have unfortunate consequences for both the animal and the cars` front wings.
Notably, Max Verstappen is close to receiving a race ban, being just one penalty point away following an incident with George Russell in Spain.
Weather Forecast
The forecast for the 44th Canadian Grand Prix indicates cloudy conditions on Friday, transitioning to sunshine and warmer temperatures around 22°C on Saturday and Sunday.
Recent News
- The 2026 schedule has been released, featuring a new race in Madrid at the Madring circuit, while Imola has been dropped.
- Interested in buying the new Red Bull RB17? It`s available for $6.7 million.
- The FIA has granted an F1 superlicence to Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad ahead of his 18th birthday.
- Listen to the race preview and the latest episode of an F1 podcast recorded in Montreal.
Circuit Statistics and History
Canada has a long history of hosting Grands Prix, dating back to 1967 at circuits like Mont-Tremblant and Mosport near Toronto. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, however, has been the primary venue since 1978, featuring on the calendar nearly every year.
Canadian hero Gilles Villeneuve won the first race here. The circuit was named in his honor in 1982, four years after his passing.
Popular with both fans and drivers, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is located on the Île Notre-Dame, a man-made island in the Saint Lawrence River originally created for the 1967 World`s Fair (Expo 67) and later used for the 1976 Summer Olympics before being adapted for F1.
The circuit is known for its high speeds, featuring two long straights. However, it`s also unforgiving due to walls close to the track, limited run-off areas, and challenging tight hairpins. Cars often need to ride the kerbs, especially before the first and last chicanes.
Starting next year, the Canadian Grand Prix will be held slightly earlier in the calendar, following the Miami race. This scheduling change is part of Formula 1 Management`s efforts to reduce logistical travel, making the calendar more sustainable and cost-efficient by keeping freight in North America.
Circuit Details
Circuit: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve; Montreal, Canada
First F1 race: 1978
Lap record: 1:13.078, Valtteri Bottas (2019)
Most wins: Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher (7 each)
Current grid drivers with wins here:
- Lewis Hamilton (2007, 2010, 2012, 2015-2017, 2019)
- Fernando Alonso (2006)
- Max Verstappen (2022-2024)
Most poles: Hamilton & Schumacher (6 each)
Current grid drivers with poles here:
- Fernando Alonso (2006)
- Lewis Hamilton (2007-2008, 2010, 2015-2017)
- Max Verstappen (2022-2023)
- George Russell (2024)
Unique Characteristics: A unique blend of street circuit and permanent track elements, featuring long straights, challenging chicanes, and the notorious `Wall of Champions`.
Driver`s Perspective (Esteban Ocon): `The Montreal circuit is definitely one of my favourite tracks and it`s a fantastic event. The atmosphere in the city is great: the whole of Montreal becomes a giant motorsport festival. You feel the energy and excitement everywhere in the city.`
Recap of Last Year`s Race
Max Verstappen secured his third consecutive victory at the circuit in a challenging race for Red Bull, impacted by rain and several safety car periods. Lando Norris finished second, despite having held a significant lead of over 10 seconds before the first safety car neutralized the field. Pole-sitter George Russell completed the podium in third place for Mercedes.
Race Prediction
Based on the current form, it`s difficult to predict a winner outside of the McLaren team.
Looking at the McLaren drivers, Oscar Piastri has shown strength on tracks with high-speed corners, while Lando Norris has been more competitive on circuits featuring slow-speed sections.
Given Montreal`s layout, which includes both high and low-speed elements, we anticipate Norris will be a strong contender.
Championship Standings Overview
In the driver`s championship, Oscar Piastri`s lead over Lando Norris has narrowed to just 10 points. However, Piastri holds five wins compared to Norris`s two.
Max Verstappen is currently third, 39 points behind Norris, also with two victories.
McLaren holds a significant lead in the constructors` championship with 362 points, a commanding 197-point advantage over second-placed Ferrari.
Viewing Information
For viewers in the U.S., the race can be watched on ESPN and ESPN+.
In the UK, live coverage is available on Sky Sports F1 and BBC Radio 5 Live.
News, analysis, and updates will be available throughout the weekend.
Session times are listed below in BST (British Summer Time). Local time (Eastern Daylight Time) is five hours behind BST.
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Friday
- Free practice one: 18:30 – 19:30 BST
- Free practice two: 22:00 – 23:00 BST
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Saturday
- Free practice three: 17:30 – 18:30 BST
- Qualifying: 21:00 – 22:00 BST
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Sunday
- Race starts: 19:00 BST
Further information:
- Standings, Calendar, Teams
- 2025 F1 circuits: History, stats, and highlights
- Key facts on drivers, teams, and venues
- Reasons to support each F1 driver; questions for every team
- Introducing the rookies: What to expect from F1`s Class of 2025
Dominic Ashworth