Montréal is the location for round 9 of the 2024 Formula One World Championship. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has been the setting for many a fantastic race - here's our preview of the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix.
Holding its first Grand Prix back in 1978, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has technical chicanes with very little room for error as well as long straights which tend to promote overtaking and on-track battling. And that is something F1 fans have so far been starved of in 2024.
The track is at the top of many of the drivers' lists for their favourite destinations on the calendar. The high-commitment circuit has walls to punish even the bravest of drivers, as it is technically a street circuit comprised of public roads. Especially the Wall of Champions on the outside of the final chicane has ended many a driver's Grand Prix.
2011 Canadian Grand Prix, eventually won by McLaren's Jenson Button after four hours and six Safety Car periods. Image: Mark McArdle, Wikimedia Commons, available for distribution under the CC BY-SA 2.0 license
70 laps of the 4.6-kilometer circuit make the Canadian Grand Prix one of the longer events on this year's calendar. Drivers have no the guarantee of a completely dry weekend with the area's unpredictable weather forecasting, either, as the 2011 edition showed in particular. This could spice up the weekend regardless of who is on top after qualifying.
Alpine will part ways with Esteban Ocon at the end of 2024. Image: Alpine F1 Content Pool
With Nico Hülkenberg leaving for Sauber/Audi and Kevin Magnussen at the top of the FIA's naughty list, the American outfit Haas is looking likely to open its doors to at least one new driver. Carlos Sainz, who is also chasing a drive for 2025 after being thrown to the roadside in favour of Lewis Hamilton by Ferrari, could also be a fantastic option for the American team. But with either of these two drivers want to go to a team at the back of the field? Especially after the season that Sainz is having in the scarlet car?
Rumours regarding the Spaniard seem to point to Williams, with a contract apparently having been signed already.
Sergio Perez's sorry-looking Red Bull at the end of lap 1 in Monaco. Image: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
However, the Milton Keynes-based team have signed the Mexican on for another two years. A surprise to some, but a welcome show of faith in what is a very cutthroat sport in 2024.
In an interview with Sky Sports after the Monaco Grand Prix, Perez said: "I am delighted to be staying here to continue our journey together. Being part of the team is an immense challenge and one I love. We have a great challenge this year and I have full trust in the whole team that the future is bright here, and I am excited to be part of it."
These regulation changes are designed to drastically change the design of the aerodynamics first and foremost.
2026 Formula One car render. Image: Formula One
These changes are quite significant compared to where the cars are now, especially with active aerodynamics coming in in favour of DRS. With Audi taking over from Sauber in 2026 as well, the grid will look very very different to what you are currently used to seeing. Let us know in the comments what you think about the new regulations!
Practice 1: 17:30 - 18:30
Practice 2: 21:00 - 22:00
Saturday, June 8
Practice 3: 16:30 - 17:30
Qualifying: 20:00 - 21:00
Sunday, June 9
Formula 1 Grand Prix Du Canada 2024: 18:00
Who are you supporting in this weekend's action in the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix? Let us know in the poll above and down in the comments below!
Holding its first Grand Prix back in 1978, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has technical chicanes with very little room for error as well as long straights which tend to promote overtaking and on-track battling. And that is something F1 fans have so far been starved of in 2024.
The track is at the top of many of the drivers' lists for their favourite destinations on the calendar. The high-commitment circuit has walls to punish even the bravest of drivers, as it is technically a street circuit comprised of public roads. Especially the Wall of Champions on the outside of the final chicane has ended many a driver's Grand Prix.
2011 Canadian Grand Prix, eventually won by McLaren's Jenson Button after four hours and six Safety Car periods. Image: Mark McArdle, Wikimedia Commons, available for distribution under the CC BY-SA 2.0 license
70 laps of the 4.6-kilometer circuit make the Canadian Grand Prix one of the longer events on this year's calendar. Drivers have no the guarantee of a completely dry weekend with the area's unpredictable weather forecasting, either, as the 2011 edition showed in particular. This could spice up the weekend regardless of who is on top after qualifying.
Ocon And Sainz in 2025
Leaving the principality of Monaco, the news has been fairly slow initially. The major talking point was Esteban Ocon leaving Alpine at the end of the 2024 season. This leaves the Frenchman currently without a seat for 2025. There are several teams with seats potentially open - but is it too little too late?Alpine will part ways with Esteban Ocon at the end of 2024. Image: Alpine F1 Content Pool
With Nico Hülkenberg leaving for Sauber/Audi and Kevin Magnussen at the top of the FIA's naughty list, the American outfit Haas is looking likely to open its doors to at least one new driver. Carlos Sainz, who is also chasing a drive for 2025 after being thrown to the roadside in favour of Lewis Hamilton by Ferrari, could also be a fantastic option for the American team. But with either of these two drivers want to go to a team at the back of the field? Especially after the season that Sainz is having in the scarlet car?
Rumours regarding the Spaniard seem to point to Williams, with a contract apparently having been signed already.
Perez Shocks Paddock After Swift Monaco Exit
Meanwhile, many believed that the writing was on the wall for Sergio Perez at Red Bull. With the team's proven record of ditching drivers swiftly if expectations are not met, fans thought Perez was destined to be just another Red Bull statistic after his Monaco crash that saw him eliminated after not even three corners.Sergio Perez's sorry-looking Red Bull at the end of lap 1 in Monaco. Image: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
However, the Milton Keynes-based team have signed the Mexican on for another two years. A surprise to some, but a welcome show of faith in what is a very cutthroat sport in 2024.
In an interview with Sky Sports after the Monaco Grand Prix, Perez said: "I am delighted to be staying here to continue our journey together. Being part of the team is an immense challenge and one I love. We have a great challenge this year and I have full trust in the whole team that the future is bright here, and I am excited to be part of it."
2026 Formula One Car Regulations Revealed
Just before the Canadian Grand Prix, Formula One dropped a bombshell on the F1 world by released the highly-anticipated 2026 car regulations.These regulation changes are designed to drastically change the design of the aerodynamics first and foremost.
2026 Formula One car render. Image: Formula One
- All cars will be 30 kg lighter
- The width of the cars has been reduced by 100mm
- The cars' wheelbase have been reduced by 200m
- 18 inch wheels
- Downforce reduced by a whopping 30%
- Drag reduced by an even bigger amount, 55%
- DRS in gone in favour of 'Active Aero'
- Reduced ground effect
- All-wheel arches have been removed
These changes are quite significant compared to where the cars are now, especially with active aerodynamics coming in in favour of DRS. With Audi taking over from Sauber in 2026 as well, the grid will look very very different to what you are currently used to seeing. Let us know in the comments what you think about the new regulations!
When to watch the action (UTC)
Friday, June 7Practice 1: 17:30 - 18:30
Practice 2: 21:00 - 22:00
Saturday, June 8
Practice 3: 16:30 - 17:30
Qualifying: 20:00 - 21:00
Sunday, June 9
Formula 1 Grand Prix Du Canada 2024: 18:00
Who are you supporting in this weekend's action in the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix? Let us know in the poll above and down in the comments below!
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