Canadian GP weekend set for dry start and potentially rainy finish

With the long Nürburgring weekend now in the books - where Max Verstappen delivered plenty of excitement despite missing out on victory due to a technical issue that ended his hopes of glory - Formula 1 is already gearing up for another Grand Prix that looks set to be a crucial turning point in the season. This year’s edition will take place slightly earlier than usual, with last year’s race marking the tenth round of the season, while this time around - also due to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix - it will serve as the fifth round of a championship that has so far seen Mercedes dominate under the new set of regulations.

The Canadian Grand Prix has historically always delivered plenty of weather drama. Just think back to the 2011 edition, heavily affected by intermittent torrential rain and still remembered today as the longest race in Formula 1 history - lasting 4 hours, 4 minutes and 39.537 seconds before Jenson Button eventually crossed the finish line. In 2022, qualifying was held in fully wet conditions, while the 2024 race featured intermittent rain and constantly changing conditions between wet, intermediate and slick tyres - further proof of how rain can always play a major role in Montreal.

As for the weather conditions expected this weekend, Friday - which will host the only free practice session and Sprint Qualifying - is currently forecast to feature intervals of clouds and sunshine, with temperatures reaching around 21°C and WSW winds between 8 and 16 km/h, while the chance of rain is close to zero, according to The Weather. The risk of rain increases slightly on Saturday, the day dedicated to the Sprint Race and qualifying, with cloudy conditions expected, temperatures peaking at around 22°C and ESE winds between 8 and 16 km/h, while the current chance of rain stands at 15%.

On race day Sunday, however, the scenario could become more threatening, with showers expected in the morning before cloudy conditions arrive in the afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to reach around 23°C, with SE winds between 8 and 16 km/h and a current chance of rain standing at 30%. However, even in the event of rain, the scenario should be far less drastic than in Miami, where strict lightning and thunderstorm protocols forced race control to bring the start of the Grand Prix forward in order to avoid major disruptions.

As mentioned previously, the return of the Sprint format means fans can expect plenty of action throughout the entire weekend in Montreal. Track activity will begin on Friday, May 22, with Formula 1 drivers taking part in the weekend’s sole free practice session from 17:30 to 18:30 BST, before attention shifts later in the day to Sprint Qualifying, scheduled between 21:30 and 22:14 BST.

Saturday’s programme will open with the Sprint Race, taking place from 17:00 to 18:00 BST, before the fight for pole position gets underway in qualifying later in the evening between 21:00 and 22:00 BST. The Canadian Grand Prix itself will then bring the curtain down on the weekend on Sunday, May 24, with lights out set for 21:00 BST. Formula 2 and F1 Academy will also share the track across the three days, completing a packed schedule at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.