Max Verstappen and Red Bull got back to winning ways where much of the action came down to the impact of Montreal’s track layout and weather.
But problems with the circuit’s infrastructure amid a record crowd arose around the positives.
There were few of these in any case for Sergio Perez, whose poor form in the other RB20 continued even with his recent contract extension. Mercedes‘ form overall seems to be improving and it left the event with a bittersweet feeling after George Russell took pole, before both Silver Arrows drivers had sloppy race runs and slim victory shot went begging.
Elsewhere, the safety car hurt Lando Norris following its hand in his Miami victory and Yuki Tsunoda followed signing his new RB contract with a gaffe-filled Sunday showing. All of this followed the FIA unveiling its 2026 chassis design plans as the event commenced, which wasn’t exactly greeted with total enthusiasm.
All this and plenty more is covered in in our pick of what we learned at Montreal last weekend.
1. Canada delivers return to brilliant racing…
After the terrible previous two races, the Montreal event was always likely to produce something more scintillating with its overtaking-friendly layout. With plenty of help from the wild weather last weekend, this race was easily the best of the season so far.
Playing a big part in that is how Red Bull has lost much of its previous advantage – particularly at another venue where its (relative) kerb-riding weakness was again exposed.
Sure, Verstappen won yet again – racking up his 60th career GP victory – but that he struggled to pass Russell, got passed himself and then dropped by Norris before the safety car swung the race back to him highlights how close things are now.
Verstappen was excellent when it really mattered – the second restart and his flurry of late personal best laps were key to gapping Norris when the pressure was on.
Norris attempted an overcut on Verstappen having previously bettered the Dutchman on the road
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
2 … but Montreal track issues persist
F1 claimed a record 350,000 spectators attended last weekend’s action – up on 345,000 last year. But around this and the weather, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve seemed to creak at the seams.
Police restricting access to the track on Friday and Saturday at a key bridge caused big traffic problems for people trying to enter the paddock, while the parking grass banks…
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