Rain chaos threatens the whole weekend

Friday (FP1 and FP2):
Just in time for the first free practice session (click here for the schedule for the whole weekend) at 1:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. CET), bad weather is coming, but it will stay dry in the morning. The weather forecast promises a 30 percent chance of rain, which will increase to 50 percent by the end of the session. But as of now, it’s only light rain, no cloudburst.

It is likely to remain cloudy between practice sessions before the next wave of rain arrives for the second free practice session at 5 p.m. (11 p.m. CET). Temperatures will be a pleasant but cool 17 to 21 degrees, with wind gusts of up to 39 km/h from the southwest.

Saturday (FP3 and Qualifying):
Saturday is also expected to be rainy. It will be dry and slightly sunny in the morning, but by the third free practice session at 12:30 (18:30 CET) there is already a 70 percent chance of rain, again with strong winds from the southwest at times.

Unlike last year, the rain tires are unlikely to play a role in qualifying. At 4:00 p.m. (10:00 p.m. CET) the probability of bad weather is almost zero, the sky will be cloudy and the sun will even shine through in places. However, a short rain shower is likely to pass through again in the evening.

Sunday (race):
The premier class is facing real weather chaos on Sunday. 10 percent chance of rain at the start at 2:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. CET), which increases to 90 percent during the 70 laps of the race on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Temperatures are also rather cool at 19 degrees, and the wind is suitably uncomfortable with 30 km/h gusts from the southwest.

It’s not just the weather that’s likely to be exciting in Canada. The last three races in the premier class have seen three different winners from three different teams: Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. The focal points ahead of the race weekend in Montreal.