Canadian Grand Prix Preview

Formula 1 heads to Montreal, Canada, for the tenth round of the season. This race is particularly significant for Aston Martin, being the home event for owner Lawrence Stroll and his son, driver Lance Stroll.

Lance Stroll is confirmed to be participating this weekend. He had been absent from the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks prior due to medical reasons related to a previous wrist injury, despite having taken part in qualifying for that event.

The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal is renowned for offering numerous overtaking opportunities, unforgiving barriers close to the track, and the occasional presence of groundhogs venturing onto the circuit – sometimes with unfortunate consequences for the wildlife and potential damage to car components like front wings.

Adding another layer of intrigue, Max Verstappen could face pressure this weekend. He is currently just one penalty point away from receiving a race ban, following an incident with George Russell at the recent Spanish Grand Prix.

Weather Forecast

For the 44th Canadian Grand Prix race in Montreal, the weather prediction is cloudy conditions on Friday. Sunnier skies and warmer temperatures, reaching up to 22°C, are expected for both Saturday and Sunday.

Circuit Stats and History

Canada has been a host country for Formula 1 since 1967, with races held at Mont-Tremblant and Mosport near Toronto initially. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal joined the calendar in 1978 and has been a near-constant fixture since.

Canadian national hero Gilles Villeneuve won the inaugural race here. The circuit was renamed in his honour in 1982, four years after his death.

Popular with both fans and drivers, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is situated on the man-made Notre Dame island in the middle of the St Lawrence River. The island was originally created for Expo 67 and later used for the 1976 Summer Olympics before being adapted for Formula 1.

The track is characterized by high speeds with two long straights, but also demands precision due to walls positioned close to the edge, minimal run-off areas, and tight hairpins. Cars must aggressively use the kerbs, especially before the first and final chicanes.

Starting next year, the Canadian Grand Prix is scheduled to move earlier in the calendar, following the Miami race. This change is part of Formula 1 Management`s effort to improve logistical efficiency and sustainability by keeping freight within North America for consecutive events.

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 wins each.
• Current grid drivers with wins:
• Lewis Hamilton (2007, 2010, 2012, 2015-2017, 2019)
• Fernando Alonso (2006)
• Max Verstappen (2022-2024)

Most Poles:

• Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher: 6 poles each.
• Current grid drivers with poles:
• Fernando Alonso (2006)
• Lewis Hamilton (2007-2008, 2010, 2015-2017)
• Max Verstappen (2022-2023)
• George Russell (2024)

What makes it special: A unique mix of street circuit elements and traditional track features, including long straights, challenging chicanes, and the notorious `Wall of Champions`.

Driver Perspective: Esteban Ocon describes Montreal as one of his favourite tracks, highlighting the fantastic event atmosphere in the city where the whole place transforms into a major motorsport celebration, with tangible energy and excitement everywhere.

What Happened Last Year (2024)?

Max Verstappen secured his third consecutive victory at this circuit in 2024. It was a hard-fought win for Red Bull, navigating challenging conditions including rain and multiple safety car periods. Lando Norris finished second, despite having held a lead of over 10 seconds before the first safety car shuffled the order. Pole-sitter George Russell finished in third place for Mercedes.

Race Predictions

Given the current form, it`s difficult to predict a winner outside of the McLaren team at this stage of the season.

Comparing the two McLaren teammates, Oscar Piastri has shown strength on circuits featuring high-speed corners, while Lando Norris has been more competitive where slower speeds are prevalent.

Considering Montreal`s track layout, which balances straights with tighter sections, our prediction leans towards Lando Norris potentially closing the gap and challenging Piastri for the win.

Championship Standings Update

In the drivers` championship, Oscar Piastri`s lead has narrowed to just 10 points over Lando Norris. However, Piastri holds the advantage in race wins with five victories compared to Norris`s two.

Max Verstappen is currently in third place, trailing Norris by 39 points, also with two race wins to his name.

In the constructors` championship, McLaren holds a significant lead with 362 points, sitting 197 points ahead of Ferrari in second place.

How to Watch the Grand Prix

Viewers in the U.S. can watch the race on ESPN and ESPN+.

In the U.K., live broadcast coverage is available on Sky Sports F1, with radio commentary provided by BBC Radio 5 Live.

For ongoing news, analysis, and updates throughout the weekend, follow the coverage provided by the ESPN F1 team.

Session Times (BST – British Summer Time)

Local time (Eastern Daylight Time) is -5 hours from BST.