{"id":683775,"date":"2026-05-20T21:15:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T21:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/683775\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T21:15:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T21:15:14","slug":"formula-one-preview-canadian-grand-prix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/683775\/","title":{"rendered":"Formula One Preview: Canadian Grand Prix"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/p>\n

The Circuit \u00cele Notre-Dame hosted its first World Championship Grand Prix in 1978 | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n

Formula One returns to North America this weekend with one of the most popular races on the calendar.<\/p>\n

Circuit guide<\/p>\n

\"Montr\u00e9al<\/p>\n

Montr\u00e9al has been the home of F1 in Canada for five decades | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n

The Circuit \u00cele Notre-Dame, known since 1982 as the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, has been a mainstay on the Formula One calendar since 1978. Barring a brief hiatus in 2009 and absence during the Covid-affected seasons of 2020 and 2021, the Canadian Grand Prix has run at the track for almost five decades.<\/p>\n

The venue had sporting pedigree before it even became a race circuit, with the lake that runs alongside the track created for the rowing and canoeing events at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n

Nowadays, F1 is the main event in the calendar of the manmade N\u00f4tre Dame Island.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 4.3 kilometre circuit underwent several layout changes in its first 25 years of existence, but the layout we currently know and love has remained in existence since 2002.<\/p>\n

Due to the long and narrow confines of the island on which it sits, the track is composed heavily of long straights, chicanes and hairpins.<\/p>\n

The opening complex of Turns 1 and 2 often causes chaos at the start, with contact at both apexes common, and trips across the expansive run-off area a regular occurrence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"George<\/p>\n

George Russell leads the pack en route to victory in 2025 | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n

The slaloming Turns 3 to 7 complete Sector 1, before the circuit opens up in Sector 2 with two long straights divided by the left-right chicane of Turns 8 and 9. The walls are never far away in Montr\u00e9al, and the exit of Turn 9 has been known to catch drivers out in years past.<\/p>\n

The tight hairpin of Turn 10 sets the drivers up for the longest drag on the circuit, with the insignificant kinks of 11 and 12 feeding onto the straight.<\/p>\n

Fighting a rival car along here is only half of the challenge, as drivers must also fix their attention on the final chicance, watching out for the notorious \u201cWall of Champions\u201d on the exit of Turn 14.<\/p>\n

F1\u2019s most daunting wall has been dubbed such since 1999, when it ruined the afternoons of champions Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve.<\/p>\n

All of the above action is packed into little over a minute, and the drivers must then repeat it a further 69 times before they witness the chequered flag.<\/p>\n

\"Groundhogs<\/p>\n

Groundhogs often have the best seat in the house | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n

Weather forecast<\/p>\n

Temperatures in Montr\u00e9al should be fairly steady across the weekend, with a high of around 20 degrees Celsius forecast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n

However, the weather is set to get worse each day, with bright sunshine on Friday, cloud on Saturday, and a 60% chance of rain at 4pm on Sunday, just in time for lights out.<\/p>\n

Talking points<\/p>\n

F1 bosses agree to engine changes: The new engines for 2026 have thus far been a contentious talking point, with their 50-50 split between internal combustion and electric power proving unpopular on all fronts.<\/p>\n

A meeting of F1\u2019s teams, commercial rights holder F1 and the FIA met on the Friday following the Miami Grand Prix to discuss changes to the 2027 power unit regulations, and the sport\u2019s bosses have agreed to a raft of changes.<\/p>\n

The headline announcement is that the proportion of power produced by internal combustion will increase, reducing emphasis on the battery to generate speed. This should theoretically end the necessity to lift and coast during qualifying and reduce the risk of dangerous closing speeds, among other improvements.<\/p>\n

Montoya calls for driver sanctions: Seven-time Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya has called for penalties for drivers who are overly critical of the sport\u2019s new regulations, following forceful remarks from Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and others.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The former Williams and McLaren driver appeared on the BBC\u2019s Chequered Flag Podcast alongside former world champion Damon Hill, and suggested the FIA should impose fines, race bans, and points on the licences of drivers who question the sport\u2019s direction.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Colombian clarified that he believed drivers were entitled to an opinion, but claimed they should stop short of undermining the sport by being overly cynical.<\/p>\n

The two-time Indy 500 winner told the BBC: \u201cI\u2019m not saying don\u2019t be outspoken, but don\u2019t call an F1 car a \u2018Mario Kart.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Kimi<\/p>\n

Kimi Antonelli claimed a third straight victory in Miami | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n

Antonelli to add another record? Kimi Antonelli has undoubtedly been the star of the season so far, the 19-year-old Italian becoming the youngest man ever to lead the World Championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Mercedes driver has emulated Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher by taking his first three poles in succession, and followed in the footsteps of Damon Hill and Mika H\u00e4kkinen by claiming his first three race victories on the spin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should he take either pole or victory in Canada, Antonelli could claim one or both of those records outright. He has form in Canada too, claiming his first podium with a third-placed finish in Montr\u00e9al last year.<\/p>\n

Alonso hints at 2027 return: At the other end of the age spectrum, F1\u2019s oldest and most experienced driver has hinted he could yet extend his Aston Martin contract into 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n

44-year-old Fernando Alonso is out of contract at the end of this season, and with Aston Martin\u2019s poor performance and the recent birth of his first child, it seemed that circumstances were perhaps aligning for the Spaniard to call it a day after his 23rd season.<\/p>\n

The two-time world champion said after the Miami Grand Prix that he would decide his future after the sport\u2019s summer break in August, but on the subject of his retirement did say that he doesn\u2019t \u201cfeel it\u2019s that time yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additionally, Alonso told Spanish media that he wishes to continue in F1 until his newly-born son is old enough to see him racing, which would suggest he plans to stick around for a couple more years yet.<\/p>\n

\"Fernando<\/p>\n

Fernando Alonso\u2019s contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of 2026 | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n

Sprint format could provide opportunities: If there has been one Achilles heel for Kimi Antonelli this year, it has been sprint races. The young Italian has struggled with his starts all year, but over a Grand Prix distance has been able to make amends.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, Antonelli has finished just fifth and sixth in the Chinese and Miami sprints, with six other drivers – Russell, Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton and Piastri – all accruing more points than him over the shorter format.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If George Russell wants to turn the tide in this title fight, this weekend\u2019s sprint race may provide a chance to begin to do so.<\/p>\n

Past Canadian Grands Prix<\/p>\n

This weekend\u2019s race will be the 55th World Championship Canadian Grand Prix, with the event officially joining the calendar in 1967.<\/p>\n

Six non-championship events were also held between 1961 and 1966 at Mosport Park near Ontario, which shared Canadian Grand Prix hosting duties with Circuit Mont-Tremblant, also near Montr\u00e9al, until 1977.<\/p>\n

The first Grand Prix at the Grand Prix\u2019s current home was in 1978. It was won by home hero Gilles Villeneuve, for whom the circuit is now named.<\/p>\n

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has since produced several modern classics, including the 1999 race, at which world champions Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve all crashed at the final chicane. The chicane\u2019s outside wall quickly gained notoriety, and we have been talking about the \u201cWall of Champions\u201d ever since.<\/p>\n

\"Robert<\/p>\n

Robert Kubica led home a BMW Sauber 1-2 for his only career Grand Prix victory in 2008 | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n

The event went on a legendary run in the late 2000s and early 2010s, starting with Lewis Hamilton\u2019s first-ever pole and victory in 2007. The race is further remembered for BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica\u2019s astonishing airborne crash, which forced the Pole to miss the following week\u2019s US Grand Prix. As a side note, this was the incident that led to a certain Sebastian Vettel making his F1 debut.<\/p>\n

Fortunes reversed in 2008, when Hamilton crashed into the back of Ferrari\u2019s Kimi R\u00e4ik\u00f6nnen in the pit lane, while Kubica claimed his first and only Grand Prix victory.<\/p>\n

The 2011 Canadian Grand Prix was an all-time classic, officially the longest race ever at 4 hours and 4 minutes. It was also unofficially arguably the greatest victory of all time, as Jenson Button seized victory with a last-lap overtake on Sebastian Vettel.<\/p>\n

The Briton made six trips through the pit lane, picked up a penalty for an incident with Hamilton, and was down in last place as late as Lap 41, all en route to a legendary victory.<\/p>\n

\"Jenson<\/p>\n

Jenson Button took the most improbable of victories at the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n

In 2014, Daniel Ricciardo claimed his first career victory driving for Red Bull, taking the first non-Mercedes win of the turbo-hybrid era as both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg hit trouble.<\/p>\n

Sebastian Vettel thought he\u2019d gotten the job done for Ferrari in 2019, but was given a five second penalty for an unsafe re-entry to the circuit, dropping him behind Hamilton in the final result. The German\u2019s antics in parc ferm\u00e9, when he moved the sign for first place from in front of Hamilton\u2019s car to where his Ferrari should have been, was an instant classic moment.<\/p>\n

The 2023 Canadian Grand Prix delivered arguably the greatest podium of all time, with Verstappen, Alonso and Hamilton completing the top three, while Adrian Newey collected the constructors\u2019 trophy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The most recent edition of the race looked for some months like it would be the defining image of the 2025 season, as Lando Norris ran into the back of teammate and title rival Oscar Piastri in a race-ending incident for the Briton.<\/p>\n

Drivers to watch<\/p>\n

Kimi Antonelli:\u00a0The championship leader could become the first driver ever to achieve his first four poles and\/or race wins in succession. He has previous in Canada too, picking up the first podium of his F1 career 12 months ago.<\/p>\n

\"Lewis<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton enjoyed the first of his 105 F1 race victories at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton: The seven-time world champion took his first race victory here 19 years ago, and has since stood on the top step on a further six occasions. While he has tasted multiple successes at many venues on the calendar, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has always felt like one of Hamilton\u2019s strongest tracks. A podium, or something even better, is not out of the question this weekend.<\/p>\n

Lance Stroll: The man from Montr\u00e9al has scored points on five of his seven appearances in his home city. He and Aston Martin may need to see some more of that good form this weekend, as the team look to re-establish themselves as a midfield outfit. A disastrous start to the season for Aston has left them looking slower than new boys Cadillac on occasion, most recently in Miami.<\/p>\n

Session Times<\/p>\n

Montr\u00e9al plays host to the third sprint weekend of the season, so the schedule for the Canadian Grand Prix looks like this (all times in BST):<\/p>\n

Practice 1 Fri 17:30 – 18:30<\/p>\n

Sprint Quali Fri 21:30 – 22:14<\/p>\n

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