Race Week: The Canadian Grand Prix - Upgrades and what to expect

As the Formula 1 circus rolls into Montreal for the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is poised to deliver its usual cocktail of highspeed drama, unpredictable weather, and strategic chess games. The teams have arrived with a raft of upgrades, and the paddock is buzzing with anticipation. McLaren, riding a wave of dominance with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, have brought minor tweaks to their already formidable MCL39, focusing on refining their aerodynamic package to better suit the circuit’s long straights and tight chicanes. Red Bull, meanwhile, are introducing a performance-oriented upgrade to their RB21, targeting improved top-end speed to counter McLaren’s edge, alongside a reliability patch to avoid the gremlins that plagued them in Spain. Mercedes have rolled out a performance upgrade and a circuit specific tweak, hoping to unlock more pace from their W16, particularly for Lewis Hamilton, who’s chasing that elusive first Ferrari podium in front of a track where he’s won seven times. Ferrari themselves are playing catch up after a lackluster Barcelona, with no major upgrades listed but whispers of a revised floor to claw back downforce. The midfield is equally busy Haas, celebrating their 200th Grand Prix, have a circuit specific update and a special livery, while Aston Martin’s single performance upgrade aims to keep Fernando Alonso in the points, though Lance Stroll’s participation remains uncertain post surgery. This flurry of development signals a tight battle, but the track’s notorious walls and potential for rain could throw a spanner in the works, making strategy and adaptability as crucial as raw pace.

So, what should fans expect this weekend? McLaren’s form suggests they’re the ones to beat Piastri’s three wins in the last four races and Norris’s consistency have them leading the championship charge, with 186 and 176 points respectively. But Montreal’s unique demands, from the low-downforce setup to the ever-present threat of a safety car (or two), mean a surprise winner isn’t out of the question. Max Verstappen, sitting third in the standings with 137 points, is due a rebound after his controversial clash with George Russell in Spain, and Red Bull’s upgrades could give him the tools to challenge. Hamilton, too, knows this track like the back of his hand, and if Ferrari’s tweaks deliver, he could finally break through. Don’t sleep on the midfield either Haas’s Esteban Ocon has a knack for capitalizing on chaos, and with the team’s milestone motivation, they might sneak a big result. The weather forecast hints at a wet weekend, which could level the playing field and reward drivers with a deft touch, like Alonso or even Yuki Tsunoda, who’s hungry to prove himself at RedBull. While McLaren’s momentum makes them favorites, Montreal’s history of upsets think Robert Kubica in 2008 or Daniel Ricciardo in 2014 means no one’s counting out a dark horse. Expect a race where tire management, bold overtakes at the hairpin, and a bit of luck could crown an unexpected hero.