Formula 1 returns with another Sprint weekend in Montreal at the Canadian Grand Prix where teenager Kimi Antonelli looks to continue his winning streak.
Antonelli has won the last three Grands Prix to establish a 20-point lead over Mercedes team-mate George Russell in the Drivers’ Championship.
It is a big weekend for Russell to hit back on a track he enjoys and won at last year but Miami suggested Mercedes’ rivals are now a genuine threat.
Norris and Hamilton Aim to Challenge
Lando Norris pushed Antonelli hard in the battle for victory at the Miami Grand Prix as McLaren’s upgrades brought them almost level with Mercedes.
Both teams have new developments for Canada too, so the pecking order may change again and it will be fascinating to see whether Ferrari and Red Bull can stay towards the front of the pack.
Max Verstappen was the happiest he’s been so far this season in Miami, while Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to find some good form after two disappointing races.
Hamilton took his maiden F1 pole position and victory in Montreal back in 2007 with McLaren and has won the Canadian Grand Prix seven times.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Challenge
The 2.710-mile Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is located on the Notre Dame island and is known for its tricky chicanes, including the last two turns where the Wall of Champions is ready to punish any driver who gets it wrong.
The Wall of Champions was given its name after the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix when past title winners Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher, who was leading the race at the time, all crashed there.
It is a track that should produce great racing with F1’s new 2026 regulations due to the big braking zones and long straights.
Montreal Weather and Schedule
Conditions can often be changeable in Montreal.
Temperatures across the year’s event are set to be in the mid-high teens with early forecasts suggesting there is a chance of showers over the weekend.
- Thursday May 217pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
- 10pm: Paddock Uncut
- Friday May 221.55pm: F1 Academy Practice
- 3pm: F2 Practice
- 5pm: Canadian GP Practice One (session starts at 5.30pm)*
- 6.55pm: F2 Qualifying*
- 7.40pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference*
- 9pm: Canadian GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 9.30pm)*
- 10.55pm: F1 Academy Qualifying*
Sprint Weekend Schedule
- Saturday May 232.40pm: F1 Academy Race 1
- 4pm: Canadian GP Sprint build-u
This is the first Canadian Grand Prix to be held in May after a shift from its traditional mid-June slot, which it had held since 1982, as part of a rationalisation of F1’s calendar, which now sees the European season run uninterrupted from June to September.