FORMULA 1 GOES TO CANADA AFTER A SECOND LONG BREAK
The Formula 1 season returns this weekend with the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal. It will be the fifth round of the championship and the second race in North America this year. The event will also use the Sprint format for the first time in Canada, making the weekend even more intense for teams and drivers.
After another long break in this unusual start to the 2026 season, the paddock arrives in Montreal with many questions still open. Mercedes has become the team to beat, while McLaren continues to show strong pace thanks to the Mercedes power unit built in Brixworth. Their advantage in energy management has been one of the biggest stories of the season so far.
The Sprint weekend format means teams will have only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying on Friday. The Sprint Race will take place on Saturday morning, followed later by the normal qualifying session for Sunday’s Grand Prix. This limited track time could create problems because several teams are bringing important upgrades to Canada.
Mercedes is expected to introduce a major update package after deciding not to use it in Miami. The team hopes the new parts will help increase the gap to its rivals again. McLaren is also expected to arrive with improvements, while the other Mercedes-powered teams could benefit from the circuit’s long straights and heavy braking zones.
Ferrari faces a more difficult challenge. The characteristics of the Montreal track may not suit the car perfectly, especially compared to Mercedes and McLaren. Still, the team from Maranello hopes the aerodynamic upgrades introduced earlier in the season can help them fight for strong results.
Another major point of attention is the battle inside Mercedes. Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrives in Canada after three consecutive victories and now leads the Drivers’ Championship. The young Italian has been one of the biggest surprises of the season. His teammate George Russell won the opening race in Australia but has since struggled to match Antonelli’s form. Canada could become an important moment for Russell to respond and close the gap inside the team.
There is also curiosity around Red Bull and Max Verstappen. The Dutch driver has experienced an inconsistent start to the season, but many expect Red Bull to perform better in Montreal. Between races, Verstappen has continued driving GT cars, staying active and sharp while preparing for another difficult Formula 1 weekend.
The Gilles Villeneuve Circuit first hosted Formula 1 in 1978. The track is 4.361 kilometers long and the race will cover 70 laps for a total distance of just over 305 kilometers. The circuit is famous for its “stop-and-go” layout, with long straights followed by heavy braking zones and slow corners. Strong traction and stability under braking are essential for a fast lap.
One of the most famous sections of the track is the final chicane before the “Wall of Champions.” The wall earned its name in 1999 after Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve all crashed there during the same race weekend.
What does Pirelli bring to Canada
Pirelli will bring the three softest compounds in its range to Canada: the C3 as Hard, the C4 as Medium, and the C5 as Soft. The track surface was resurfaced in 2024 and is now smooth with low abrasion. Because the circuit is used mainly for Formula 1, grip levels improve very quickly throughout the weekend as more rubber is laid on the asphalt.
Last season, tire graining remained an issue until the race, but the newer tire constructions could reduce the problem this year. Cooler temperatures are also expected because the race takes place earlier in the calendar than usual. Teams may struggle to bring the tires to the correct temperature, especially during qualifying sessions.
The Soft tire is expected to work best over one lap because it warms up quickly and offers strong grip. It could become the preferred tire for the Sprint Race. However, for Sunday’s Grand Prix, teams may choose a more conservative strategy using the Medium and Hard compounds. A one-stop race appears possible, although strategy could still change depending on safety cars or weather conditions.
Weather always plays an important role in Montreal. Rain can arrive suddenly, and changing temperatures often create unpredictable conditions. This could make strategy even more important during both the Sprint and the Grand Prix.
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