After a week’s gap, F1 action returns to North America. All team members and drivers are traveling to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the 2023 Canadian GP, the eighth round of this year’s championship. However, with forest fire scares in the area in recent days, what is the weather forecast going to be like at the Grand Prix?
Last week, rumors of F1 considering yet another cancellation of a Grand Prix weekend came up. This was because of the forest fires in Quebec, which severely affected the air quality in nearby cities. However, the conditions have improved considerably now. There isn’t any threat of the race being canceled anymore.
Forest fires in Northern Quebec: Another 2,000 evacuated from their homes https://t.co/Aouv7us7hs
— CTV Montreal (@CTVMontreal) June 4, 2023
With the focus firmly set on racing now, fans are also wondering what role the weather will play in Montreal. We’ve seen some very exciting wet weather racing in Canada in the past, and according to Weather.com, more of the same can be expected for this weekend’s outing.
Weather forecast for the 2023 Canadian GP
Forecasts say that all three days of racing action in Montreal could be affected by rain. In fact, reports also suggest that there may be some thunderstorms during FP1 and FP2 followed by light rain.
Saturday’s FP3, qualifying, and Sunday’s race, however, could very well be held in full wet conditions. The weather report for all three days of the Canadian GP weekend is as follows:
Friday, 16th June 2023: FP1 and FP2
Maximum Temperature: 23 Celsius
Minimum Temperature: 16 Celsius
Chances of rain: 58%
Conditions: Scattered thunderstorms with high chance of rainfall
Saturday, 17th June 2023: FP3 and Qualifying
Maximum Temperature: 22 Celsius
Minimum Temperature: 15 Celsius
Chances of rain: 58%
Conditions: Showers with high speed winds
Sunday, 18th June 2023: Race Day
Maximum Temperature: 23 Celsius
Minimum Temperature: 14 Celsius
Chances of rain: 42%
Conditions: Showers with high speed winds; lesser chance of rainfall as the day progresses
What to expect at the Canadian Grand Prix?
The 2022 Canadian GP saw eventual world champion Max Verstappen win the race after a tight battle with Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. This year, however, the fight is expected to be one-sided. Ferrari doesn’t have a car that is fast enough to challenge Red Bull anymore.
On top of that, Verstappen is dominating the season, with five wins out of seven races so far. In Montreal, Aston Martin are also bringing upgrades. But still, most people expect Red Bull and Verstappen to have comfortable outing yet again.
“Max just couldn’t break the DRS!” 🔨
Christian Horner says that Carlos Sainz put a lot of pressure on Max Verstappen in the final few laps of the Canadian Grand Prix 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/ZjUyupcr8B
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 19, 2022
The battle for P2 in the constructors’ standings between Mercedes and Aston is heating up too. Ferrari meanwhile, is looking to find their pace, and close the gap to the three teams in front of them.
