Following its North America debut in Miami, Formula 2 heads to the Canadian GP for the first time in 2026, tackling the 4.361 km Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. The circuit features four DRS zones, including a newly added one ahead of the hairpin at Turn 10, as the street circuit presents the challenges of tight chicanes and heaving braking hairpins.
The 2026 F2 grid also faces the infamous ‘Wall of Champions’ at the exit of the final corner—a barrier that has prematurely ended many drivers’ sessions over the years, with names like Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel among its victims.
Heading into the third round of the season, Campos Racing and Nikola Tsolov continue to lead the way in both championships. However, the Bulgarian now finds himself just a single point ahead of MP Motorsport’s Gabriele Minì, who secured a triumphant Feature Race victory in Miami that moved him up to second in the standings.
Ahead of the weekend, here’s what to expect from the 2026 F2 Canadian GP.
Weekend schedule
Like Miami, Free Practice is expected to provide another busy start to the weekend as drivers tackle yet another new circuit, with the session set to begin at 10:05 local time. On-track action on Friday concludes with a 30-minute Qualifying session at 14:00, which will set the grid for the first-ever Feature Race at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
The top ten from Friday’s Qualifying result will then be reversed for Saturday’s Sprint Race, which will feature 28 laps of racing and is set to start at 14:10. A longer Feature Race on Sunday, consisting of 39 laps and a mandatory pit stop, will start at 12:05 and bring the third round of the season to a close.
Dunne: “A cool track, very bumpy and technical”
Montreal will present another challenge for drivers and teams as they visit the venue for the first time. With back-to-back races at unfamiliar circuits, preparation has been key as Rodin Motorsport’s Alex Dunne shared his excitement ahead of the weekend.
“It looks like quite a cool track, very bumpy and technical, getting the car in the right window will be very important with the limited mileage we have. I think T10 can be a good spot for overtaking, there’s a new DRS zone just before which has been added for this year which should make things more interesting.”
“The general bumpiness and curb usage needed will be tricky, F2 cars are very stiff so they’re not always the most compliant with those sorts of things. Canada is a new venue for us so I am excited for the challenge of mastering a new track.”
Technical insight
The 4.361 km circuit features 16 corners, with several overtaking opportunities at heavy-braking zones. Ahead of the weekend, F2’s Technical Director Pierre-Alain Michot shared technical insights about what to expect from the weekend and its circuit.
He said: “The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is another new challenge for every team and driver to take on and has historically provided entertaining racing in other categories.”
“The four DRS straights offer plenty of overtaking opportunities, with the braking zone into the final chicane theoretically the best place to make a pass.”
“Montreal has a flowing layout in the first and second sector, before the long run from Turn 11 to Turn 13 where drivers face the heaviest braking zone of the lap.”
Pirelli brings its two softest compounds
On the semi-permanent circuit, where braking and traction are key, Pirelli has chosen to bring the two softest compounds in its range this weekend: the Supersoft and Soft tyres. Theoretically, a potential strategy approach for Sunday’s Feature Race could see drivers start on the Soft compound before switching to the purple Supersofts.
However, with weather and safety cars often playing a significant role at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the reduced time loss in the pit lane could prove advantageous—for drivers who either choose to extend their stints on the Softs and for those who choose to start on the Supersofts hoping for an early safety car.
As drivers and teams take on Montreal for the first time, there will be plenty of learning throughout the weekend—particularly ahead of Sunday’s Feature Race, where choosing the correct strategy could prove crucial.
A close fight at the top of the standings
The 2026 F2 Canadian GP could be a weekend that brings a significant shake-up in the standings before the championship heads into its European leg, beginning with Monaco in just a few weeks. At the top, although Tsolov continues to lead the Drivers’ Standings, Minì has closed the gap to the Bulgarian and could be a driver that takes over the championship lead this weekend. Likewise, having scored two Feature Race podiums in two rounds, reigning Formula 3 Champion Rafael Câmara also emerges as a driver in strong form.
Meanwhile, Campos Racing still lead the way in the Teams’ Standings. However, Invicta Racing and MP Motorsport remain six and ten points adrift from the Spanish outfit. Before the championship returns to familiar territory in Europe, Montreal presents an opportunity for teams and drivers to either score strong results or slip back.
