Canadian GP Preview: Where to Watch, Timing, Schedule, History

The 2026 Formula 1 season arrives in Montreal with Mercedes strongly in control of the early championship fight. Rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli leads the standings after winning three of the opening four races, while teammate George Russell has given Mercedes a good advantage in the constructors’ battle.

That makes the Canadian Grand Prix a crucial weekend for the chasing pack. Ferrari has consistently looked like Mercedes’ closest rivals so far, while McLaren showed signs of progress in Miami after introducing major upgrades. Both the McLaren drivers have shown improvements. Red Bull, meanwhile, is still struggling to match the pace it showed against others during previous regulation cycles.

The Canadian Grand Prix will also host the third sprint weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season, adding extra pressure across all three days in Montreal. With only a single practice session before sprint qualifying, teams will have very little time to tune their setups for the main Race.

2026 Canadian GP Timings

Where to Watch Canadian Grand Prix 2026?

The broadcasting rights info for the 2026 Season. Here is where you can catch the action, depending on your region:

• United States: Apple TV is the new exclusive home of F1. The subscription includes 4K streaming and the full F1 TV Pro suite, featuring onboards and team radio.
• United Kingdom: Sky Sports F1 remains the place for every live session. NOW offers flexible streaming passes, while Channel 4 provides free-to-air highlights.
• Australia: Every session is live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. Network 10 will provide highlights for those without a subscription.
• Canada: Fans can watch on TSN (English) and RDS (French). Cord-cutters can use the TSN+ streaming service.
• India: FanCode continues its coverage, while F1 TV Pro is available for the most dedicated fans who want a deeper dive into the telemetry.
• Brazil: In a major move for 2026, F1 has returned to Globo, offering a mix of free-to-air races and full session coverage on SporTV.
• Global: F1 TV Pro remains available in over 80 territories, providing the most comprehensive data-driven viewing experience in sports.

Where to Watch Canadian GP For Free?

You can watch the Canadian Grand Prix featuring Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Max Verstappen for free here.

Quick Canadian GP facts

• Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher share the record for the most Canadian Grand Prix wins, with seven victories for each.
• The Canadian Grand Prix was first held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 1978, where Gilles Villeneuve secured his maiden Formula 1 victory in front of his home crowd.
• The famous “Wall of Champions” earned its name during the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix after Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve all crashed into the same barrier at the final chicane.
• Valtteri Bottas holds the official lap record at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a 1:13.078, set during the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix.
• Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is considered one of Formula 1’s most brake-intensive tracks, featuring long straights, heavy braking zones, and multiple overtaking opportunities.

Also Read: Meet Arvid Lindblad: Youngest driver on the 2026 F1 Grid

Weather Forecast for Canadian GP 2026

• Friday, May 22: Cool and pleasant conditions with no rain expected. High of 18°C and a low of 7.5°C. Winds averaging 11 km/h with gusts up to 32 km/h.
• Saturday, May 23: Clear skies and dry conditions throughout the sprint weekend action. High of 19°C and a low of 9.5°C. Winds around 12 km/h with stronger gusts during the afternoon.
• Sunday, May 24: Mixed conditions with a 60% chance of rain during the Grand Prix. High of 16°C and a low of 10°C. Winds averaging 15 km/h with gusts reaching 36 km/h.

Last 10 winners at the Canadian GP

Sprint Winners

Enjoy Watching the 2026 Canadian GP!