Formula 1 heads to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, featuring the third sprint race of the 2026 season. Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive campaign with his third consecutive victory in Miami. The 19-year-old Italian now holds a 20-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who aims to return to form at a circuit where he triumphed last year.
Friday's Sprint Qualifying
Sprint qualifying takes place on Friday at 9:30 PM BST, setting the grid for Saturday's sprint race. Antonelli is the favourite for pole, but McLaren showed strong pace in Miami, with reigning world champion Lando Norris finishing second and Oscar Piastri third. Red Bull's Max Verstappen qualified on the front row in an improved car.
Ferrari's Challenge
Ferrari had a tougher weekend in Miami, with Charles Leclerc receiving post-race penalties and Lewis Hamilton finishing only sixth. However, Hamilton is a seven-time winner around the Montreal street circuit and won his first-ever F1 race here in 2007. The Briton is seeking to evoke Arsenal's winning spirit as he aims for a resurgence with Ferrari.
Constructor Standings
- Mercedes: 180 points
- Ferrari: 112 points
- McLaren: 94 points
- Red Bull: 30 points
- Alpine: 21 points
- Haas: 18 points
- Racing Bulls: 14 points
- Williams: 5 points
- Audi: 2 points
- Cadillac: 0 points
- Aston Martin: 0 points
Rescheduling of Middle Eastern Races
Formula One is evaluating the possibility of reinstating the Bahrain or Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, cancelled due to Gulf conflict. Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang suggested one race could be rescheduled toward the end of the season, though a congested calendar makes this challenging.
FP1 Incident
Williams driver Alex Albon crashed in FP1 after hitting a groundhog, causing extensive damage. Team principal James Vowles noted the risks of the circuit and the frustration of losing track time.
Russell vs Antonelli
Lando Norris believes George Russell's biggest fight is with teammate Kimi Antonelli, warning that a strong teammate makes life tougher in a title battle. Norris himself has faced similar challenges at McLaren.
Start Times (BST)
- Friday 22 May: Sprint qualifying at 9:30 PM
- Saturday 23 May: Sprint race at 5 PM, Qualifying at 9 PM
- Sunday 24 May: Race at 9 PM
