F1 news: 2026 Canadian Grand Prix preview and predictions

F1 returns from another break to Canada, and with more upgrade packages from the teams on a beloved track, the Canadian Grand Prix is set to be unmissable.

Montreal brings another sprint weekend starting May 22, bringing another action-packed weekend in which upgrades will be immediately put to the test.

Race weekend schedule (BST)

Action will start on Friday, May 22, at 17:30 for the one and only practice session, followed by sprint qualifying at 21:30.

Saturday sessions start with the sprint race at 17:00, after which the main qualifying session will start at 21:00.

The weekend will conclude as usual with the main race starting at 21:00.

2025 Canadian Grand Prix

Last year’s race was a thrilling one, which saw George Russell clinch the victory ahead of Max Verstappen in second and team-mate Kimi Antonelli in third place.

This result saw Antonelli claim his maiden podium in F1.

However, the race was defined by McLaren’s poor performance.

It was round 10 of the season and the first race of the season which saw neither McLaren driver on the podium.

The drama went further when Lando Norris crashed into team-mate Oscar Piastri in the closing gap while fighting for P4.

A poor performance and lack of pace for McLaren last year could prove pivotal if this were to replicate again this weekend.

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Top six predictions

With upgrades still to come this weekend, confirmed by Mercedes and McLaren, and other teams rumoured, the pecking order for Canada is anyone’s guess.

Nevertheless, here are predictions for the top 10 in the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix.

1 — George Russell (Mercedes)

Russell has a strong track record at the circuit and will be eager to beat his team-mate this weekend after Antonelli’s recent superiority.

With an upgrade package due for the Mercedes team, hopes will be high for stronger performance.

2 — Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

Antonelli performed well in Canada last year and has dominated the last few races.

That being said, with Russell’s track history and determination, I think Antonelli will fall second to his team-mate this weekend.

3 — Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

Red Bull’s upgrades in Miami showed a huge step in the car’s performance, with Verstappen qualifying in second.

Despite an incident in the race, he recovered to P5 and showed the car has pace, and in the hands of Verstappen, a podium is definitely possible for the Dutchman in Canada.

4 — Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

McLaren struggled last year in Canada compared to previous races that season, and while the team is due to bring the second half of their upgrade package, I can see a close battle for third, with Piastri ultimately falling short.

5 — Lando Norris (McLaren)

Piastri’s story can also be said for Norris, and with little separating the two this season, the pair’s finishing positions could very well be inverted.

However, last year Norris was a little off the pace of Piastri, and this may repeat this year.

6 — Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

Ferrari started the season as the best challenger to Mercedes but fell behind McLaren last time out, with their upgrade packages proving less effective than McLaren’s. Therefore, I can’t see Leclerc being in the fight for a podium this weekend.

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The best of the rest

7 — Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

Hamilton will still put in a decent performance in relation to the car’s performance, but he has been bested by his team-mates in Canada for the last few years.

8 — Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

Alpine have emerged as the clear midfield leader, and Gasly has proved to be best of the rest overall so far this season, scoring in every race except Miami, where he crashed out of the race through no fault of his own.

9 — Carlos Sainz (Williams)

Williams showed improvement in the performance of their car in Miami, securing a double points finish for the team for the first time this season.

Sainz is likely to be the Williams driver to emerge on top in Canada, given his recent performance in comparison to his team-mate.

10 — Oliver Bearman (Haas)

Bearman has had a strong season of improvement and results overall.

While Haas failed to score for the first time this season last time out, Bearman was on the fringes of the points in P11, and with his strong performances so far this year, there is no reason he can’t bring home a point.

With the field spread getting closer and upgrades set to potentially shake up the order, expect drama when the lights go out in Montreal.

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