The Canadian Grand Prix takes place on 22 to 24 May 2026 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec. One of the longest-running and most beloved races on the Formula 1 calendar, the Canadian Grand Prix has been held on the man-made island of Ile Notre-Dame in the St Lawrence River since 1978. The circuit is famous for its high-speed straights, tight chicanes, and the notorious Wall of Champions at the final corner.
What is the Canadian Grand Prix?
The Canadian Grand Prix has been a fixture of Formula 1 since 1967, with the race moving to its current home at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal in 1978. The circuit is named after the legendary Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve, who won the inaugural race at this location and tragically died during qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix. The 4.361 km circuit is a semi-permanent track that uses public roads on Ile Notre-Dame, the artificial island built for Expo 67, and combines long straights with tight braking zones to produce consistently exciting racing.
When is the Canadian Grand Prix?
The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix follows the standard weekend format. Free Practice 1 and 2 take place on Friday 22 May, Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday 23 May, and the Grand Prix on Sunday 24 May at 14:00 local time (EDT, UTC-4). That translates to 19:00 BST for UK viewers and 04:00 AEST (Monday) for Australian viewers.
Where is the Canadian Grand Prix?
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is located on Ile Notre-Dame in Parc Jean-Drapeau, a short metro ride from downtown Montreal. The island setting in the middle of the St Lawrence River gives the circuit a unique atmosphere. The track features the infamous Wall of Champions at Turn 14, where the barriers are positioned dangerously close to the racing line and have caught out multiple world champions over the years, including Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve, all in the same race in 1999.
Key Contenders
George Russell won the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix from pole position, holding off Max Verstappen by just 0.228 seconds, and arrives in Montreal looking to repeat that success. Kimi Antonelli, who claimed his maiden F1 podium at this circuit in 2025, has been the surprise package of the 2026 season with Mercedes. Max Verstappen won three consecutive Canadian Grands Prix from 2022 to 2024 and remains a consistent threat at this circuit. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, along with the Ferrari pairing of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, complete the list of key contenders.
How to Watch the Canadian Grand Prix
Canadian viewers benefit from extensive free-to-air coverage, with CTV broadcasting the race live alongside TSN’s dedicated coverage. French-language broadcasts are available on RDS and Noovo. TSN+ offers additional streaming feeds including pit lane cameras and driver trackers for $8 per month. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 provides live coverage of all sessions. In the United States, Apple TV holds exclusive rights. Fox Sports and Kayo Sports carry the race in Australia. F1 TV Pro is available in supported global markets.
History and Records
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the record for most victories at Montreal, with seven wins each. Max Verstappen won three consecutive races from 2022 to 2024. The official race lap record stands at 1:13.078, set by Valtteri Bottas in 2019, while Sebastian Vettel holds the outright fastest lap at 1:10.240, set during qualifying in the same year. The circuit has produced some of the sport’s most dramatic moments, including Jenson Button’s remarkable victory from last place in the rain-affected 2011 race, widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 races ever held.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the Canadian Grand Prix are available through the official event website (gpcanada.ca) and the Formula 1 ticketing platform. The circuit offers grandstand seating at various locations around the track, with the main grandstand on the start-finish straight and popular options at the hairpin (Turn 10) and the final chicane near the Wall of Champions. General admission tickets provide access to viewing areas throughout the island. Hospitality and Paddock Club packages are available through F1 Experiences. The Montreal race weekend draws large crowds and is a major cultural event for the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Canadian Grand Prix start?
The race starts at 14:00 EDT (19:00 BST) on Sunday 24 May 2026.
Where is the Canadian Grand Prix held?
At Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Ile Notre-Dame, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
What is the Wall of Champions?
The Wall of Champions is the barrier at the exit of the final chicane (Turn 14), named after multiple world champions who have crashed into it over the years.
Who has won the most Canadian Grands Prix?
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the record with seven victories each.