2026 Canadian Grand Prix: Top 5 F1 Drivers To Likely Win in Montreal
Get your late-night coffee ready. Finally, it’s the 2026 Canadian Grand. The sessions are broadcast live at the most ideal time for post-dinner viewing for fans across the globe. Thus, you can see the entire action without missing any sleep. At the moment, there is a fierce battle currently between Mercedes and McLaren. The third Sprint format of the year is this weekend. The race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve eventually will be as quick and as hectic as it can be.
Why the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix Feels Different
New power units have completely shaken up the team hierarchy this season. Moreover, Montreal has a notoriously complicated layout and requires utmost precision. Usually, the running order here gets disrupted by shifts in the weather. It is an untamed race and thus an absolute enchantment for fans for obvious reasons.
The 5 Drivers Most Likely To Take the 2026 Canadian GP
1. Max Verstappen
The champion is more professional on this particular street style circuit. To keep him in top form, Max recently ran the gruelling Nürburgring 24 Hours. His powerful playing style is an ideal match for the fast-paced nature of Canada.
2. Charles Leclerc
Leclerc is in the mix with Max in the paddock analysis. Charles is really consistent and can get the most pace out of his car. Hence, he is a formidable contender to challenge the top ones ruling F1 leaderboards.
3. Lando Norris
Norris is at an excellent ranking among the list of contenders. The defending world champion was on fire at the front in round one of Miami. He has a vendetta against the Canadians, and Canada is the ideal place to take action.
4. Oscar Piastri
Piastri is a close runner-up for podiums. Every weekend the young man from Australia has proved to be very mature and fast. So McLaren has a very deadly driver combination!
5. George Russell
Russell is at the extreme high end of the range of projections. The Montreal track is very engine centred. Hence, the Mercedes power unit will give George a tremendous edge on the long straights.
2026 Canadian GP F1 Leaderboard Table
| FORMULA 1 FORM GUIDE: CONTENDER METRICS | ||||
| Rank | Driver | Team | Season Points | Current Form |
| 1 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 100 | 3 Wins (CHN, JPN, MIA) |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes | 80 | 1 Win, 2nd Standings |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 51 | Defending Champion |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 43 | 6th Standings |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 59 | 3rd Standings |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 26 | 7th Standings |
What Can Shake Up the 2026 Canadian GP
The walls are made of concrete and are close together, which could put the end of a driver’s day on the blink if he or she messes up. This race will certainly bring up strong feelings amongst local enthusiasts.
- Rain
- Power unit reliability
- Safety cars
The Final Lap
It’s clear that Mercedes leads, but McLaren is on their heels. Who’d you go with to take on the challenge? Drop your views below! Join us and follow Khelo24race for more detailed F1 stories and track buzz on a daily basis!
Top Questions From Fans
When does the Canadian Grand Prix begin?
The track action is from May 22nd to 24th. The sessions stream in a different time zone than Montreal. Usually, during late evening and night hours in the IST. The main event is being broadcast live Sunday night.
Why is Andrea Kimi Antonelli favoured for Canada?
The Mercedes rookie is in a 20 point lead for the championship. What’s more, he’s coming into the weekend having won three straight competitions this season.
What makes the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve special to the cars?
The Montreal track featured long straight sections and large braking areas. So that’s an edge to those with better power units. However, the dreaded “Wall of Champions” is a common cause of crashes and safety cars.
What impact does the Sprint format have on the Montreal race weekend?
It’s the third sprint event of the 2026 season this weekend. Teams are thus given only one practice session before competitive running starts.
Will Red Bull & Ferrari be off the racetrack this year?
No, but they are currently in second place in the top two speed categories. Verstappen and Leclerc are still top pilots who can take advantage of any adverse weather.
