Formula 1: 2024 Canadian Grand Prix Preview, Predictions, Schedule, Circuit Details and Past Winners

• Round nine of the 2024 season sees Formula 1 visit circuit Gilles-Villeneuve for another edition of the Canadian Grand Prix
• The Montreal race offers Red Bull Racing the opportunity to increase the gap to the chasing pack of Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren
• Sports Brief compiles an extensive preview, prediction, race details and past winners ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix event

Formula 1 makes a swift return to North America for the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix following the commencement of the European leg of the season.

The iconic Montreal race, known for delivering thrilling racing action, promises to live up to its reputation again in 2024.

The F1 paddock heads into the Canadian race weekend in dire need of proper wheel-to-wheel racing action. This follows a dull and heavily criticised Monaco Grand Prix, which set a record for the fewest overtakes in recent history.

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However, based on previous events, the Canadian Grand Prix is perfectly poised to remind fans why they fell in love with the sport.

The 2024 edition is particularly significant due to Red Bull Racing’s recent struggles over the past three race weekends. The usually impeccable Austrian team's RB20 car has been seeking a classic, smooth circuit to demonstrate its speed, and the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve might be the perfect venue for Red Bull to reassert its dominance and dispel any doubts from the competition.

In light of this, Sports Brief presents an extensive preview and prediction for the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix.

Canadian Grand Prix schedule

The 2024 Canadian Grand Prix is set to unfold from June 7 to June 9, promising three days of exhilarating racing events that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

June 7:

- Practice 1: 13:30 (GMT -4)

- Practice 2: 17:00 (GMT -4)

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June 8:

- Practice 3: 12:30 (GMT -4)

- Qualifying: 16:00 (GMT -4)

June 9:

- The main race: 14:00 (GMT -4)

Canadian Grand Prix Preview

The return to Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve heralds a comeback to a traditional racing circuit with ample overtaking opportunities, following three races with some of the fewest overtaking chances in recent Formula 1 history.

This return to a classic track like Montreal is particularly significant for Red Bull, whose impeccable dominance has been challenged by McLaren and Ferrari in recent weeks, especially on street circuits.

The Austrian team are seeking redemption, and as head of their driver development program, Helmut Marko, stated to RacingNews365, if Red Bull fails to reassert their dominance on traditional circuits, it could indicate serious trouble for the team.

McLaren, on the other hand, appeared to be the closest team to Red Bull following their massive upgrades and a win at the Miami Grand Prix. However, Max Verstappen’s incredible drive in Imola and Charles Leclerc’s controlled victory in Monaco sent a subtle message to McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, and Team Principal, Andrea Stella, that they still have some ground to cover to challenge Red Bull.

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Ferrari enters this Grand Prix with high optimism after securing their second victory of the season in Monaco. The Maranello team plans to introduce another upgrade to their SF-24 car, aiming to improve their qualifying pace.

Mercedes AMG are also one to watch, as the Brackley team seems to be gradually finding their stride as the season progresses.

The Canadian Grand Prix offers teams a sense of optimism, particularly because the track has been resurfaced, potentially leading to low grip for cars and tyres. Additionally, track evolution will be a crucial factor to consider, especially when setting lap times during qualifying.

Canadian Grand Prix prediction

However bunched up the Formula 1 grid might have appeared over the past three races, one fact remains clear: no team has been able to match Red Bull on traditional race circuits.

While the Austrian team's RB20 car showed some vulnerability on the streets of Miami and Monaco, it has been dominant on classic tracks like Imola and others held so far. This trend is expected to continue in Canada this weekend.

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Red Bull's focus on aerodynamic efficiency development has made them largely untouchable on traditional circuits.

Although Ferrari are expected to pose significant challenges, particularly in qualifying, we predict that come race day, the RB20 will prove too powerful for any other team on the grid to contend with.

Canadian GP Circuit information

Circuit Name: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve

Debut Grand Prix: 1978

Total Laps: 70

Track Length: 4.361 kilometres

Race Distance: 305.27 kilometres

Lap Record: 1:13.078 - Valtteri Bottas (2019)

Canadian Grand Prix Past Winners

2023: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)

2022: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)

2021: Cancelled

2020: Cancelled

2019: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2018: Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

2017: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

Most challenging Formula 1 tracks for overtaking

In a previous report, Sports Brief compiled a list of Formula 1 tracks with the fewest overtaking opportunities.

Notable tracks on the list include Circuit de Monaco and Albert Park, among others.