Formula 1 is set for its first wet race of 2026 at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday with “chaos” predicted by four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Had a dry race been on the forecast, all attention would be on the Mercedes front row of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli after they made contact in Saturday’s Sprint in their thrilling battle.
The Mercedes duo are still free to race but may have to deal with the challenge of rain on a circuit that punishes even small mistakes, given the close proximity of the walls.
“I do really enjoy the rain. It does offer some opportunities, and the pace of the guys around us look really strong in the dry in the Sprint,” said pole-sitter Russell.
“I’m definitely intrigued to see how it’s going to pan out in the rain. It’s not going to be easy. Wet races at the best of times aren’t easy, but the two of us are in the best place to start it, so looking forward to seeing what comes.”
Antonelli added: “It’s going to be all new for everyone and whoever can get the most out of tyres in terms of temp in the first few lap can make a difference, but it’s going to be very challenging.”
‘You guys are going to be shocked’
Four drivers have actually completed tests or a shakedown in the rain in 2026 cars – Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
The new 2026 power units create a huge amount of torque which will lead to the drivers spinning up their rear wheels and sliding, seriously testing their skill.
For safety reasons, in the wet, the FIA can ban Straight Line Mode – which is when the front and rear wings open on the straights to have less drag. Boost Mode, when the drivers can deploy an extra 350kW of power out of the corners is also prohibited in wet conditions.
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Kimi Antonelli and George Russell clash twice as they go wheel-to-wheel at the Canadian Grand Prix Sprint
“I think [the race] will be chaos regardless of the weather,” Verstappen, who ran in damp conditions at the Barcelona Shakedown in January, told Sky Sports F1.
Gasly, who starts 14th for Sunday’s race, has previously joked he had an “underwear change every lap” after he drove this year’s Alpine in the wet at Silverstone in January.
The Frenchman also completed a two-day wet weather test at Magny-Cours in France to develop next year’s wet tyres and warned the rest of the grid about his experience.
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George Russell snatches pole from Kimi Antonelli in the final moments of the Canadian Grand Prix qualifying
“You guys are going to be shocked. I’m glad I’ve done these two days. It’s going to be interesting for you guys,” he said.
“I mean, I had Silverstone on January 20, which was memorable and I think will stay with me forever. But Magny-Cours was also something.”
Could Ferrari be a threat for the win?
Both Ferrari drivers not only have experience in the rain in the current 2026 cars, but their biggest weakness, straight line speed, will not be an important factor on Sunday.
Ferrari have been very strong in the corners, suggesting they have similar downforce levels to Mercedes and McLaren. But, Leclerc thinks the low temperatures in the rain will actually be a disadvantage for Ferrari.
“It’s going to be tricky for everyone. The only thing that worries me is I had a nightmare of a weekend because of temperatures and in the wet it won’t get any better,” he said.
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An optimistic Lewis Hamilton says that his Ferrari ‘is fantastic’ but is ‘at the mercy of the lack of power’
Lando Norris, who has been Mercedes’ closest challenger this weekend in Canada, expressed similar concerns and is expecting an “insanely tricky” race.
The McLaren driver said: “It’s difficult enough to get temperature into a soft tyre, let alone when it’s 10 degrees colder and we’re going to have inters and wets on the car.
“I’m excited, very, very excited to see how it’s going to pan out.”
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Lando Norris explains why he is sporting a very special helmet design this weekend in support of Race Against Dementia
Sky Sports F1‘s Martin Brundle believes the combination of the “old-school” track and has the ingredients for plenty of drama.
“The drivers are all a little bit scared of just what these cars are going to be like in the rain. They have got so much power and less downforce, less grip, and they don’t know yet,” he said.
“Nobody really had that opportunity to push them in a competitive situation, so could see some drama. Only one in the last eight Grands Prix in Montreal have gone without the Safety Car of some kind because if you crash, you remain on the race track, effectively.”
Sky Sports F1’s Canadian GP schedule
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A look back at the wildest moments caught on the onboard camera at the Canadian Grand Prix
Sunday May 24
3.40pm: F1 Academy Race 3
5pm: F2 Feature Race
7.30pm: Canadian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
9pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX*
11am: Canadian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
12am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and another Sprint weekend. Watch live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s race at 9pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
