Round 5 of 22 · Canadian Grand Prix

Canadian Grand Prix

4:00 PM EDT · Montreal · Montréal

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Sprint race 12:00 Montréal time (Saturday)

Montreal

Montréal, Canada · America/Toronto

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a 4.361 km (2.710 miles) semi-street circuit on Ile Notre-Dame, an artificial island in the St. Lawrence River. Its 14 corners span a 70-lap race distance of 305.270 km. The track has hosted the Canadian Grand Prix since 1978 and is named after the legendary Quebec-born driver who died at Zolder in 1982. Valtteri Bottas holds the lap record at 1:13.078, set in 2019.

The layout features long straights connected by tight chicanes and hairpins, giving the circuit a stop-start character that is brutal on brakes. Two DRS zones on the main straight and the back straight create strong overtaking opportunities. The infamous Wall of Champions at the exit of the final chicane has claimed multiple world champions, including Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, and Jacques Villeneuve all in the same race weekend in 1999. Turn 6, a tight left-hander after the long back straight, is another key passing point.

Montreal has produced legendary races throughout its F1 history. On 12 June 2011, Jenson Button delivered one of the greatest drives in F1 history, winning after falling to last place mid-race through multiple penalties and pit stops in a rain-interrupted race lasting over four hours. On 10 June 2018, Sebastian Vettel won for Ferrari in a strategic masterclass. The 1981 race on 27 September saw a tragic accident that claimed the life of a marshal. Gilles Villeneuve himself thrilled the home crowd with his fearless driving here before his untimely death.

The timezone is America/Toronto at EDT (UTC-4). A 15:00 local start is 19:00 GMT and 21:00 CEST, giving European fans a comfortable evening watch. Asian viewers face an early Monday morning start. The sprint race at 12:00 local pushes the European window to 16:00 GMT. Check Canada time and Montreal time for conversions.

Late May in Montreal can be unpredictable, with temperatures swinging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius within the same weekend. Rain is always possible, and the island setting makes the circuit accessible by metro, surrounded by water and parkland. The city’s restaurants, nightlife, and cultural scene draw fans who treat the Grand Prix as a full weekend event rather than just a Sunday afternoon.

See the full race schedule and session times at the Canadian Grand Prix page.

The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve starts at 15:00 EDT (UTC-4) on Sunday 24 May. The circuit is 4.361 km long with 14 corners and sits on Ile Notre-Dame, a man-made island in the St. Lawrence River.

This is a sprint weekend. Saturday’s sprint race goes at 12:00 EDT (16:00 GMT), awarding points to the top eight finishers before the full Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve sits on Ile Notre-Dame, a man-made island in the St. Lawrence River just minutes from downtown Montreal. Named after the legendary Quebec driver who died at Zolder in 1982, the track features long straights connected by tight chicanes, with concrete walls lining the exit of nearly every corner. The Wall of Champions at the final chicane has claimed a remarkable list of victims, including Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve in the same race in 1999.

Montreal has produced some of the most dramatic races in F1 history. Jenson Button won from last place in 2011 in a rain-interrupted classic that ran for over four hours, the longest race in F1 history. Robert Kubica took his only career victory here in 2008 for BMW Sauber. Lewis Hamilton scored his maiden F1 win at Montreal in 2007, starting a love affair with the circuit that has produced multiple further victories.

For European fans, the 15:00 EDT start translates to 21:00 CEST and 20:00 BST, a comfortable Sunday evening watch. The Saturday sprint at 12:00 EDT lands at 18:00 CEST. North American fans get an ideal afternoon slot. Australian viewers face tough timing at 05:00 Monday AEST. Asian audiences watch at 03:00 Monday JST and 03:00 Monday CST. Check Canada time for the exact start in your location.

The 2026 power units, with enhanced energy recovery from braking, should make the stop-start nature of this circuit even more strategically interesting. Lance Stroll carries the home crowd’s hopes for Aston Martin, and the Montreal atmosphere on race day, mixing European racing culture with North American energy, remains one of the best weekends on the calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time did the Canadian Grand Prix start?

The Canadian Grand Prix started at 16:00 local time in Montréal on 2026-05-24. This page shows the start time converted to your local timezone.

Where is the Canadian Grand Prix held?

The Canadian Grand Prix takes place at Montreal in Montréal, Canada.

Was the Canadian Grand Prix a sprint weekend?

Yes, the Canadian Grand Prix was a sprint weekend with an additional sprint race on Saturday.