Five Things to Know Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix
Red Bull's Max Verstappen is aiming for a hat-trick at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. The Formula One race will take place Sunday afternoon, with qualifying scheduled for Saturday at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Notre Dame Island.
Max Seeks Three
Verstappen is looking to join elite company with a win, as only seven-time world champions Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher have won the Canadian GP three years in a row. The 26-year-old, a three-time defending world champion, narrowly beat Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in 2022 and won the 2023 race by nearly 10 seconds during a dominant season.
#### Milestone Victory
A win on Sunday would mark the 60th career victory for Verstappen. Only Hamilton (103) and Schumacher (91) have more wins.
#### Tight Title Race
Red Bull dominated last year's F1 constructors' championship with 21 wins out of 22 races, 19 by Verstappen. However, the competition has tightened this year. After eight races in 2024, Red Bull has already lost three races, including two of the last three. Charles Leclerc’s win at the Monaco GP has brought Ferrari within 24 points of Red Bull. McLaren, although distant, is also competitive, 68 points behind Ferrari. Verstappen leads the drivers' standings with five victories and a 31-point lead over Leclerc.
#### Hometown Hero
Montreal’s Lance Stroll arrives amid a challenging season. The only Canadian on the grid is ranked 11th with 11 points for Aston Martin, a team that has struggled after a competitive season last year. Stroll aims for a top-10 finish this weekend, a feat he’s achieved four times in five home races.
Musical Chairs
The driver market is active with nine of 20 pilots seeking seats for 2025. Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari from Mercedes next season kicked off the changes. Niko Hulkenberg is moving from Haas to Sauber, and Esteban Ocon will not return to Alpine after a crash with teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco. Red Bull extended Sergio Perez's contract for two years. Carlos Sainz, the odd man out at Ferrari due to Hamilton's arrival, is the market's prized possession and is weighing his options.
Rainy Forecast
Montreal’s weather forecast calls for rain and possible thunderstorms, adding unpredictability to the race. Teams are accustomed to using wet tires at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The 2011 race, won by McLaren's Jenson Button, remains memorable for heavy downpours and being the longest race in F1 history at four hours, four minutes, and 39 seconds.
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