Formula One is roaring back into Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix
It’s been an eventful few months since we last previewed an F1 race, but we are back, and so is Formula One as we get ready for the Montreal Grand Prix.
When we last reported, Red Bull had only lost one race, and the reigning champion, Max Verstappen, looked to be well on his way to winning a fourth consecutive driver’s title. However, since then, much of that appears to have changed.
Red Bull — no longer the sole contender — faces fierce competition from both McLaren and Ferrari. For the first time in over a season, a true battle is on. McLaren’s Lando Norris, in particular, is proving to be a force to be reckoned with, securing victory in Miami and coming within a second of Verstappen at the following race in Imola.
For Ferrari, continued strong performances were highlighted by driver Charles Leclerc taking victory in his home Grand Prix at Monaco, and they currently stand just 24 points behind Red Bull in the Constructors Championship.
There has also been drama in the driver market, with French Team Alpine announcing that they’d be parting ways with driver Esteban Ocon at the end of the season. This came after a collision with teammate Pierre Gasly, at the Monaco Grand Prix, which resulted in Ocon’s retirement from the race.
Look Ahead to Canada
This year’s running of the Canadian Grand Prix will be its 53rd time on the calendar and its 43rd year at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal. The circuit is a 4.3 KM ribbon of pavement on Montreal’s Île Notre Dame.
The Grand Prix will host several of its former winners this weekend, including Verstappen, who’s won the last two Canadian Grand Prix; Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time winner, and Daniel Riccardo and Fernando Alonso, both one-time winners.
The track features the famous Wall of Champions, which gets its name from the several World Champions who have crashed into it, including Jacques Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, Jenson Button, and Sebastian Vettel.
What’s At Stake
Field leaders Red Bull enter the weekend facing high stakes, with their gaps in the Driver’s and Constructor’s championships narrowing. It will take strong performances from both drivers to maintain their lead.
For Ferrari, the goal is simple: continue to make up ground on Red Bull and draw closer to the lead in both championships. Team boss Fred Vasseur reiterated the need to improve continuously, stressing the Ferrari car’s closeness with Red Bull and McLaren, especially in qualifying, and that the team is currently heading in the right direction.
Third-place McLaren is looking to pressure Ferrari for that second spot, and driver Lando Norris is looking to continue to fight for top positions after his first race win at Miami. They’ve made continuous progress since the start of the season, having been able to build up to a similar pace to Red Bull.
The Montreal Grand Prix also marks a homecoming for the only Canadian driver on the grid. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll is currently sitting 11th in the driver’s championship standings, so far having brought home 11 points, with particularly strong performances in Australia and Imola.
New F1 Regulations
This week, the FIA announced new regulations for Formula One, which will take effect in 2026. They were highlighted by slight reductions in car size, a 30 kg drop in the minimum car weight, and changes to the engine system, increasing the reliability of electric power.
These changes are advertised as the development of more powerful engines with new aerodynamic developments and safety features. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) also says these changes conform to their 2030 sustainability goal for F1 to run on fully sustainable fuel.
These changes have not been without controversy — leadingAston Martin driver Fernando Alonso to decry the new weight target as “impossible.”
The Canadian Grand Prix will get underway on Sunday, June 9th, at 2 PM. Check here for times, standings, news, and more.
