What time does F1 start in Canada? Everything about the 2024 Canadian GP

According to the National Media Survey, 280,000 Dutch people watched the replay of the Monaco GP on Viaplay TV on Sunday evening. It is not known how many of them actually managed to stay awake. The race in Monte Carlo produced beautiful images and an even more beautiful winner, but that’s where the positive words end. Fortunately, the next race promises to be a spectacle.

F1 has only just returned from Europe and is now flying back to North America for the Canadian GP. Since 1978, the Canadian GP – with the exception of a number of skipped editions – has been held on the artificial island of Île Notre-Dame in Montreal. The circuit was named in 1982 after Canadian F1 driver Gilles Villeneuve, who died that year.

What should I know about the 2024 Canadian GP?

The circuit is 4.4 kilometers long, has six left turns and eight right turns. Because the bends follow each other in rapid succession, the average speed of a lap is one of the slowest of the season. Mechanical grip, supplemented with a good portion of downforce, is therefore very important, but don’t forget to save some top speed for the long stretch after turn ten.

Three DRS zones should make overtaking easier, but then the DRS flap must be allowed to open… | Photo: © Mercedes

This year downforce promises to be even more important for the cars and drivers. Heavy rain is forecast, but more about that later. There is news to report for Red Bull Racing that could be positive. The entire track has been resurfaced this year. The usually bumpy circuit can therefore be a bit flatter. Irregularities in the track have been a major challenge for Red Bull in recent races. Perhaps the new asphalt layer will help.

Who has a lot at stake?

Max Verstappen significantly lost his lead over Charles Leclerc last weekend. The difference between number one and two is now 31 points. No man has been spared yet, but the reigning world champion cannot use many more results like those in Monaco. Sergio Pérez has dropped back to fifth place due to his retirement, but hey, he has received his contract extension, so apparently Red Bull is satisfied with the Mexican driver’s performance.

Furthermore, more eyes will be on Alpine than usual. Esteban Ocon had to pay the penalty after his mistake in Monaco and was even sacked at the beginning of this week. To make matters worse, Ocon has to give up his seat in the first free practice to the reserve driver, Jack Doohan. He will want to put himself in the spotlight at Alpine to fill Ocon’s old seat next year.

What does Max Verstappen say?

‘After a more difficult weekend in Monaco, I visited the factory with the team this week and worked in the simulator preparing for the Canadian Grand Prix. The circuit is very unique, has some old-fashioned curbs and there are many opportunities for overtaking. It is very important to set up the car properly and find a balance between top speed and good stability under braking.’

Max continues: ‘It’s always nice to race in Montreal again. The environment is unique, the atmosphere in the city is great and the fans are very passionate. Finally, it is great news that Czech has signed with the team until 2026 and I am happy that we can continue the successful collaboration we have built in recent years. We had a record season last year and the team is very strong, so we look forward to building on this success over the next two years,” Verstappen said. Verstappen.com.

What’s the weather like at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal?

All weather stations agree today: there will be rain in Montreal during the 2024 Canadian GP race weekend. With only the Ferrari Challenge class and Porsche Carrera Cup North America in the support programme, there are not many cars that will keep the track dry can drive for F1. According to the predictions, the drivers will already be affected by this on Friday.

It will rain heavily in Montreal on Thursday and Friday night and it will remain cloudy during the day. There will be no rain in the morning until FP1, just like during the training session. The track may still be damp. It does rain during the second free practice. A day later we see the same picture.

During the third free practice there is some rain beforehand, but not during the practice session. Qualifying later in the afternoon will be held in the rain. On Sunday the drift is back, also at the start of the race. During the GP the downpours only promise to become more intense. And now let’s hope that the 2024 Canadian GP will be held at all.