The Canadian GP is one of the most beloved sporting events in Canada. The race has been going on for 61 editions, 55 of which have been part of the F1 World Championship. In 2005, the Montreal GP was the most-watched race of the season, and the event's popularity is always high, thanks to the deep connection between Gilles Villeneuve, who gave the circuit its name, and his homeland supporters.

 

The history of the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit

 

Since 1967, a Canadian GP has found its place in the F1 schedule. Initially, the race was held at Mosport Park in Ontario or Mont-Tremblant, in Quebec. Then, in 1978, it moved to its current location. The main reason was the safety concerns about Mosport Park, an old circuit that wasn’t tested for the speed and acceleration of cars that were increasingly fast. Local hero Gilles Villeneuve won the first race ever in Montreal in 1978, and the track began bearing his name in 1982, shortly after his premature death.

 

In 1999, the final chicane was named the Wall of Champions, after a curious episode: World Champions Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve all crashed there, during the same race. The Wall is an unforgiving barrier at the exit of turn 14, the end of the final chicane. Its concrete greeted a lot of drivers over the years.

 

There have been some memorable races in Montreal. In 2007, Lewis Hamilton secured his first-ever F1 win here; in 2019, Sebastian Vettel’s victory was negated by a five-second penalty; in 2011, after a never-ending race that lasted more than 4 hours due to some rain delays, Jenson Button won a GP where he started in last position. These historical races made the racetrack an absolute fan favourite.

 

What to expect in 2026

 

The 2026 edition already promises to be one of the most spectacular and unpredictable ever. The unpredictability that characterizes this circuit hasn’t gone unnoticed by sports betting enthusiasts: anyone looking to get an idea of the odds and predictions for the race can check out trusted sports betting platforms in Canada, which update the odds for the winner, podium finishers, and fastest lap in real time. What makes this GP so thrilling to watch is that it is a high-speed track, but the nature of the city streets on which it is held makes it a start-stop race where nerves are as important as the feet.

 

The characteristics of the circuit, combined with the new 2026 regulations featuring next-generation hybrid power units and active aerodynamics, a couple of solutions that created a whole new level of competition and are making GPs a lot more difficult to win, render the cars’ behavior on this specific track even more difficult to predict than in previous seasons. Weather conditions are also typically a strong variable in Montreal.

 

We are inclined to say that Mercedes is the team to beat here, as it has been the case everywhere this year, with Kimi Antonelli leading the charge. We have seen McLaren taking some steps forward in the Miami GP, but it didn’t seem to be enough to slow down the Italian driver. A lot more is expected from Ferrari and Red Bull, since Max Verstappen is the racer with the most wins here in recent years. As for the most overall wins, Hamilton and Michael Schumacher are tied with 7 each on the circuit, while Ferrari is the most triumphant constructor, with 12 wins.

 

Should Antonelli win again, the F1 season may become very boring, very soon. The youngster from Bologna leads the standings with 100 points, 20 more than his teammate, George Russell. This showcases Mercedes’ dominance in 2026. Charles Leclerc is in third position, with 59 points and a couple of podiums, while the two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are tied at fourth, with 51 points and a podium each. If we don’t consider Mercedes, the World Championship is quite balanced. The problem is that the men in black and silver are uncatchable at this time.

 

That said, bookmakers also currently see Kimi Antonelli as the favorite to win, with average odds of around 2.60, followed by his teammate George Russell at about 3.50. Behind them is Lando Norris at around 5.00, while Max Verstappen is listed at about 8.00, a sign that Red Bull is still struggling to achieve peak competitiveness in single-lap performance. Further back are Oscar Piastri at 11.00, Charles Leclerc at around 15.00, and Lewis Hamilton at over 20.00, with Ferrari thus remaining an underdog compared to Mercedes’ dominance at this stage of the season.

 

As for the battle for the top 10, the picture remains wide open and involves several drivers who are building their season on consistent finishes in the points. In addition to the top-team drivers, figures like Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz with Williams and Nico Hülkenberg with Audi are becoming increasingly relevant, all capable of capitalizing on chaotic races to break into the points zone. The group of up-and-coming young drivers is also making a significant impact, with Oliver Bearman at Haas often proving competitive in mid-pack traffic, alongside Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) and Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), both of whom are now consistently capable of battling for positions between eighth and tenth place.

 

With the Canadian GP just around the corner, we invite you to follow our Sports page for a thorough coverage of the race, to stay updated with all the latest news and insights.