Formula One preview: Canadian Grand Prix

Rohan Brown
2 days ago
6 min read

Written by Rohan Brown, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri

For the next round of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the series heads to the famous Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve for the Canadian Grand Prix, for what could end up being another turning point in the tumultuous season so far.

George Russell snapped up pole position last year after setting a 1.12.000 earlier than Max Verstappen [as they set the same lap time] - something that remains rare in modern F1. However, the race was won by Max Verstappen, his 60th victory in F1, after taking the lead on the 47th lap after capitalising on Norris having an issue with his tyres.

The circuit

Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve has been home to the Canadian Grand Prix since 1978 | Credit: F1

Designed by Roger Peart, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve consists of a combination of fast chicanes and heavy braking zones. Before it became the host of the Canadian Grand Prix from 1978 onwards (apart from in 1987, 2009, 2020 and 2021), the island was built for Expo 67, later hosting the rowing and canoeing events of the 1976 Olympics.

The present layout of the circuit comprises a combination of fast chicanes, cue the turns 3 and 4, turns 8 and 9, and the final chicanes, apart from heavy braking zones like the turn 10 hairpin. All in all, 60% of a lap is taken at full throttle.

However, this is contrasted by the circuit being one of the most harsh on the brakes, notably the entry the the final turns 13 and 14 chicane being one of the hardest to master [the braking] on the whole calendar.

Building on this, the varying fast and slow parts of the track mean the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has played host to many interesting victories in the past, such as in Jenson Button’s 2011 victory where his average speed was a mere 78.444 kilometres per hour — the slowest ever F1 victory speed.

Despite this infamous win, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher hold the most victories and pole positions here, equal on six pole positions and seven wins. Additionally, Max Verstappen enters this race with consecutive wins at the Canadian Grand Prix, being one of only three drivers to achieve the feat since 2002 (with Hamilton, Schumacher and Alan Jones being the others).

Storylines

1. How will Lance Stroll compete at his home race?

Stroll enters his home race with rocky form going into it, notably pulling out from the Spanish Grand Prix main race due to medical reasons.

With only two points finishes in 2025 so far, and being nine to zero down in the qualifying results battle and five to three down with teammate Fernando Alonso so far this season - Stroll has struggled to compete. Despite this being his home race, his previous form means he may struggle to produce a strong points finish for Aston Martin this weekend.

2. How will Haas compete in their 200th Grand Prix?

Haas are celebrating their 200th Grand Prix at Canada | Credit: Haas via YouTube

Having entered their first F1 race in Australia in 2016, the American-based team have enjoyed many successes and shortcomings. Their best season was in 2018, when they earned a fifth-place finish in the constructors, the pairing of Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean scoring a combined 93 points.

In terms of the 2025 season so far, Haas are seventh in the constructors with 26 points. And their notable results have been a fifth and eighth place finish for drivers Esteban Ocon [who will have his 166th start in Canada] and Oliver Bearman.

So far this season, the American-based team have been upper-midfield challengers, consistently placing above other teams like Aston Martin.

3. Will the Canadian Grand Prix define the rest of the season?

The point where the order changed significantly in 2024 was the Miami Grand Prix, but there may be the possibility for an overhaul at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve - the Grand Prix of the past show that this track has the potential to produce exciting racing.

The safety car has appeared 38 times in F1 since its introduction [which was actually at the 1973 Canadian Grand Prix] at this race, with the most deployments in one race occurring at the 2011 Grand Prix. With the safety car being such a frequent presence around here, there is a high chance it could cause surprising results.

Furthermore, four races have won by less than a second [1999, 2000, 2003 and 2022] - especially in 2000, where seven-time champion Michael Schumacher won ahead of teammate Rubens Barrichello by only 0.174 seconds. So this shows how this week’s race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve could be a close result at the line, and symbolise the competitive nature of the 2025 season.

4. Could this be another milestone Grand Prix for Lewis Hamilton?

Lewis Hamilton won his first ever race here | Credit: Ferrari

The 2025 season has not been one to write home about for Lewis Hamilton, with his best result being fourth in Imola. Despite the underwhelming beginning to life at Ferrari, the Canadian Grand Prix has proven to be a place of great success for the British driver.

In 2007, a rookie Hamilton won his first ever Grand Prix, one of many that led him to a second place drivers’ championship finish. Furthermore, his current team Ferrari is the most successful at this track. The Scuderia have won the most races, alongside being one of five teams (Williams, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull are the others) to win back-to-back races (2002, 2003 and 2004).

So the seven-time world champion may be able to achieve his best result of the season here.

5. Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri: Who will lead the drivers’ championship after this race weekend?

This season so far has been a close battle between the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with the lead of the drivers’ championship changing weekend-after-weekend between the two. Furthermore, their qualifying and race record is four to five in favour of Piastri.

Therefore, the close battle between both McLaren drivers suggests that there will be a close battle in this week’s race again, one that Piastri has the highest chance of succeeding in.

Past winners

There have been many winners over the years, with notable ones from the past being Nelson Piquet (1982, 1984 and 1991), Ayrton Senna (1988 and 1990) and Alain Prost (1993).

More recently, Michael Schumacher (1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004) and Lewis Hamilton (2007, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019) are tied for the record number of wins (seven).

Winner picks

1. Oscar Piastri

The Australian driver does not have the best record here in his previous two Grands Prix, in 11th in 2023 and fifth in 2024 - but Piastri enters this race with the momentum and lead in the drivers’ championship [by 10 points].

The McLaren driver has shown across this season so far he can retain a cool head under pressure, which reflects in his five victories so far - compared to his teammate’s two. Also entering with the lead in the drivers’ championship, he has the momentum.

2. Lando Norris

Whilst Norris is trailing to his teammate in the drivers’ championship, his consistently high results in the 2025 season mean he is not far behind Piastri.

The Briton has only finished out of the podium places once (at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix), and the top two places once (Bahrain Grand Prix) - Norris has strung together many second-place finishes. Despite his lack of victory so far, the McLaren driver’s consistently high results mean he is a strong challenger to his teammate.

3. George Russell

Last year’s pole sitter has started 2025 strongly, despite his form tapering in the recent European triple header.

Russell has had many consistent results, leading the British driver to fourth place in the drivers’ championship so far, and beating rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli nine to zero in the Grand Prix results head-to-head.

With four podiums and seven out of nine Grands Prix finishes in the top five, the Mercedes driver has demonstrated how his persistently high finishes are a symbol of his consistently that has propelled Mercedes to third in the constructors’, just six points behind Ferrari [who are second].

If Russell can score a consecutive pole position this year and clinch victory, it could prove to be a milestone for Mercedes this season.