HOW F1 DRIVERS AND STRATEGISTS TACKLE THE CANADIAN GP

The Canadian Grand Prix is shaping up to be a high-stakes gamble this year, with new cars, an earlier calendar slot, and different tire compounds all converging on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Adding to the unpredictability, Montreal hosts its first Sprint weekend, cutting practice down to a single session. This forces teams into immediate setup decisions on a notoriously bumpy, wall-lined track that pushes brakes to their limit.

Drivers like Liam Lawson are relying heavily on simulator work, knowing race weekend learning is severely curtailed. Expect early weekend experimentation during the Sprint before teams adjust setups for the main qualifying once parc fermé rules are relaxed. Mastering the low-speed Turn 10, L'Epingle, will be critical; a strong exit there pays dividends down the longest straight. With Red Bull proven Sprint format specialists, the pressure is on rivals to adapt quickly to Montreal's unique demands. This format shift promises an intense Canadian GP from Friday onwards.