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Motorsport
Lydia Mee

Martin Brundle predicts Canadian GP drama as F1 drivers "are a little bit scared" of unknown

Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle believes the current grid is "a little bit scared" of the prospect of driving the new regulation cars in wet weather.

As a potentially wet Canadian Grand Prix approaches, the paddock is bracing itself for what could be the first competitive rain-soaked session of the season.

"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," Brundle told Sky Sports News.

"Nobody really had that opportunity to push them in a competitive situation, so we 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. It's a pretty challenging layout in that respect, old school, and we love it."

Beyond the weather, Brundle also touched on the development race. While multiple teams brought big upgrades to the Miami Grand Prix, Mercedes waited until Montreal to introduce its first substantial upgrade package of the season.

Pierre Gasly, Alpine (Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images)

"These are brand-new regulations, and it's going to be the story of the season with teams flip-flopping around with incredible changes and improvement as they learn all about the biggest change we've had in the history of Formula 1," Brundle explained.

"Mercedes are pretty confident. They're not going to put stuff on the car that's slower, so we'll just see where they all stand. It's a different track layout completely to Miami, lots of long straights and slow corners and chicanes."

The Canadian Grand Prix weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will take place on 22-24 May and will include the third sprint race of 2026.

Photos from Canadian GP - Thursday

50 Formula 1 Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Haas F1 pitstop practice

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Mike Krack, Chief Trackside Officer of Aston Martin F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Mercedes pit crew member

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Vroum, the mascot

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Vroum, the mascot

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Toto Wolff, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Laura Mueller, Race Engineer of Haas F1

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Allan McNish, Audi F1 Team Racing Director

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Salut Gilles writing is seen above the finish line

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Shintaro Orihara, Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer of Honda Racing Corporation

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Mattia Binotto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes; Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Aston Martin F1 Team badge

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

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