Formula 1 moves onto round 10 in Montreal, Canada -- the home of Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll and his son & driver Lance.
The team have confirmed Lance Stroll will race this weekend, following his absence from the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks ago, after he took part in qualifying. His absence was on medical grounds relating to a previous injury to his wrist.
The Montreal race at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is also synonymous with overtaking, unforgiving run-off areas, and groundhogs, which often venture onto the track -- sometimes with a sad ending for the groundhog and a front wing.
On a seperate note, Max Verstappen could be under pressure this weekend as he stands just one penalty point from a race ban following the incident with George Russell in Spain.
Weather:
The forecast for the 44th race at Montreal is set to be cloudy on Friday, with sun and higher temperatures of 22°C arriving on Saturday and Sunday.
Now, check out the ultimate preview to the weekend ahead...
Jump to a section: Circuit history & stats | 2024 race | race predictions | how to watch | championship standings
Latest news
The 2026 schedule has dropped -- changes include a race in Madrid at the new Madring circuit, and Imola has been dropped.
Would you buy the new Red Bull RB17? It's yours for $6.7 million.
The FIA has granted an F1 superlicence to Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad before his 18th birthday.
Listen to the race preview and latest episode of ESPN's F1 podcast Unlapped with Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson in Montreal.
Circuit stats and history
Canada has hosted grands prix since 1967 at Mont-Tremblant and Mosport near Toronto, but the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal was first held in 1978 and has been on the calendar almost every year since.
National hero Gilles Villeneuve won the inaugural race, and four years after his death, in 1982, the circuit would take his name.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is popular with fans and drivers alike. The circuit is made up of roads on the man-made island of Notre Dame in the middle of the St Lawrence River. The island was created in 1967 for Expo 67, a world fair, and later used for the 1976 summer Olympics before it morphed into an F1 circuit.
The circuit is fast with two long straights, but unforgiving with walls close to the track, few run off areas and tight hairpins, which means cars must ride the kerbs, particularly before the first and last chicanes.
Next year, the Canadian Grand Prix will be slightly earlier following Miami, so F1 freight can remain in North America. The move is part of Formula 1 Management's attempts to reduce freight travel to make the calendar more sustainable and cost efficient.
Canadian Grand Prix
Circuit: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve; Montreal, Canada
First F1 race: 1978
Lap record: 1:13.078, Valtteri Bottas (2019)
Most wins: Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher with seven. Current grid:
Hamilton (2007, 2010, 2012, 2015-2017, 2019)
Fernando Alonso (2006)
Max Verstappen (2022-2024)
Most poles: Hamilton & Schumacher with six. Current grid:
Alonso (2006)
Hamilton (2007-2008, 2010, 2015-2017)
Verstappen (2022-2023)
George Russell (2024)
What makes it special: A hybrid street circuit with long straights, tricky chicanes and the famous Wall of Champions.
What the drivers say about it: "The Montreal circuit is definitely one of my favourite tracks and it's a fantastic event. The atmosphere in the city is great: the whole of Montreal becomes a giant motorsport festival. You feel the energy and excitement everywhere in the city." -- Esteban Ocon
What happened last year?
Verstappen took his third consecutive victory at the circuit and it was hard-earned for Red Bull after battling rain and multiple safety cars. Lando Norris finished second, but led the race by over 10 seconds before the first safety car disrupted the order, as pole-sitter Russell finished third for Mercedes.
Who will win?
At this stage of the season it's hard to back any team other than McLaren.
Between the two teammates, Oscar Piastri has held the advantage at circuits with high-speed corners and Lando Norris has been a more of a match in slow speed.
Given Montreal's layout, we're backing Norris to close the gap to Piastri once more.
Laurence Edmondson and Nicole Briscoe predict the top three for the Canadian Grand Prix.
How the championships look
Oscar Piastri's lead is down to just 10 points ahead of Lando Norris, but the Australian has five wins to Norris' two.
Verstappen is 39 points behind Norris in third, also with two wins.
In the constructors' championship, McLaren are miles ahead with 362 points -- 197 ahead of second-placed Ferrari.
How to watch the GP
For fans in the U.S. only, watch on ESPN and ESPN+.
In the U.K. live broadcast coverage is on Sky Sports F1 and BBC Radio 5 Live.
For news, analysis and updates, follow the coverage with ESPN's F1 team Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson in Montreal and on social media.
Session times below in BST (British Summer Time). Local time (Eastern Daylight Time) -5 hours.
Friday
Free practice one: 18:30 - 19:30 BST
Free practice two: 22:00 - 23:00 BST
Saturday
Free practice three: 17:30 - 18:30 BST
Qualifying: 21:00 - 22:00 BST
Sunday
Race starts: 19:00 BST (live text commentary build-up from 18:00 BST on ESPN.co.uk).
- Standings | Calendar | Teams
- 2025 F1 circuits: Their history, stats and why they're special
- Key facts on drivers, teams, venues, more
- Reasons to root for each F1 driver, questions for every team
- Meet the rookies: What to expect from F1's Class of 2025