Fear of the wet
Here we go again. After three weeks, the scenario for race Sunday in Canada roughly mirrors what was experienced in early May in Miami, with rain forecasts stirring the Formula 1 paddock.
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Compared to the last race, however, the concerns are not so much focused on the intensity of the downpours – expected yes, but not so heavy – as on the driveability of these cars in the wet. Despite the tests carried out recently at Magny-Cours, the drivers have not yet had the chance to compete in similar conditions and especially in competition, all the more so on a complex track like Montreal where the barriers are just a step away from the track.
Lots of power, little downforce
Compared to the last ground effect generation, the 2026 Formula 1 cars have similar power to manage – albeit distributed differently – but much less aerodynamic downforce, reduced so as not to dissipate too much energy since the MGU-H is no longer available to recharge the batteries and power the electric motor.
“As far as I know, the drivers are all a bit scared of how these cars will behave in the rain – reported Martin Brundle in his intervention on Sky Sports UK – They have a lot of power in their hands but less downforce and grip and they still don’t know how they will be to manage.”
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“No one has really had the opportunity to test themselves in a competitive situation, so we might see some twists, especially in Montreal where the Safety Car has always been a protagonist except on one occasion in the last eight Grands Prix.”
Also Gasly, protagonist with Alpine in the recent Pirelli tests in France for the development of the 2027 wet tires, has warned (albeit with an ironic tone) his colleagues Russell and Lindblad in the press conference: “You will be shocked!”.
Rain chances slightly decrease
The latest weather updates still show a decrease in the chance of rain between 4 and 6 pm local time, the time slot in which the race is expected to take place. The forecasts are still evolving and the Miami experience teaches to keep a close eye on the radar until the very end.
