F1 LIVE | Big Albon crash brings out second red flag in Candian GP FP1 session

With both the Miami Grand Prix - where the championship leader once again emerged victorious for the third race in a row - and the Nürburgring weekend now in the books, despite the unfortunate ending to what had been a starring performance from Max Verstappen and his team, Formula 1 is ready to get back underway for the fifth round of the season at one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was originally meant to host the seventh round of the championship, but the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix effectively pushed every race two places forward in the schedule, even though the dates for both Montreal and Miami ultimately remained unchanged. Built on the artificial Île Notre-Dame, in the middle of the Saint Lawrence River, the venue has carved out a unique identity over the years thanks to its unforgiving nature and constantly evolving track conditions.

Although it hosts one of the most popular races on the calendar, the circuit is not a traditional permanent facility. For much of the year, the roads are used by normal traffic and visitors, which leaves the asphalt dusty when F1 first arrives in Canada. Grip levels are notoriously low at the start of the weekend, with drivers often struggling for confidence during the opening sessions as the surface gradually rubbers in.

Some of the track’s most famous corners have become iconic in Formula One history. The opening Turns 1 and 2 immediately demand commitment after the start-finish straight, while Turn 10 - the legendary Hairpin - is one of the key overtaking spots of the entire lap and crucial for maximizing speed onto the back straight.

The final chicane, meanwhile, remains one of the trickiest sections on the calendar, with drivers aggressively attacking the kerbs while threading the car between the barriers at high speed. On the exit of that last chicane sits the circuit’s most feared landmark: the Wall of Champions. The barrier earned its name after catching out multiple world champions over the years, punishing even the slightest misjudgement with instant consequences.

Weather conditions across the weekend are expected to remain relatively stable, although the likelihood of rain appears set to increase slightly as the event progresses. Friday, featuring the only practice session and Sprint Qualifying, should offer the most favourable conditions of the weekend. Forecasts currently point towards a mix of sunshine and scattered clouds, with temperatures hovering around 21°C and light WSW winds between 8 and 16 km/h. Rain is not expected to play a role during the opening day.

Saturday could prove slightly more unpredictable during both the Sprint Race and qualifying. Cloud cover is expected to increase throughout the day, while temperatures should remain similar at around 22°C. Winds are forecast to come from the ESE at between 8 and 16 km/h, with a modest 15% chance of rain currently in place.

The biggest weather concern, however, remains Sunday’s Grand Prix. Early forecasts suggest showers could arrive during the morning before conditions gradually become more overcast later in the day. Temperatures are expected to peak at roughly 23°C, accompanied by SE winds ranging from 8 to 16 km/h. As things stand, the probability of rain on race day sits at around 60%.