Formula 1 returns to the spotlight later today as attention shifts from the sprint race to the all-important qualifying session for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix at the iconic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. After an action-packed sprint earlier on Saturday, teams and drivers now prepare for the session that will decide the starting grid for Sunday’s main event in Montreal.
The Canadian Grand Prix has produced some of the most memorable moments in Formula 1 history. The famous circuit has witnessed dramatic championship battles, unpredictable weather chaos and landmark victories, including Lewis Hamilton securing the first win of his F1 career and Jenson Button claiming victory in the longest race ever held in Formula 1.
This weekend also marks the first time Formula 1’s new-generation 2026 cars have competed around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, adding another layer of intrigue to an already fascinating season. With the championship battle tightening, qualifying could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the weekend.
Mercedes enter qualifying with strong momentum following their impressive sprint performances. George Russell will be hoping to continue his fine form and gain another advantage over team-mate Kimi Antonelli after the pair locked out the front row earlier in the weekend. However, rivals from McLaren and Ferrari are expected to challenge heavily when it matters most under the Montreal skies.
Ferrari will once again rely on the experience of Hamilton as they search for improved pace over one lap, while McLaren continue to look increasingly competitive in both qualifying trim and race conditions. Red Bull will also be aiming to bounce back after a difficult sprint qualifying session for reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix begins at 4:00pm local time in Montreal on Saturday, May 23. Fans around the world will be tuning in at different times depending on their location.
In the United Kingdom, qualifying starts at 9:00pm BST, while viewers across Central Europe can watch from 10:00pm CEST. Fans in the United States can catch the action at 3:00pm CT and 1:00pm PT.
Elsewhere, the session begins at 5:00pm in Brazil, 10:00pm in South Africa, 11:00pm in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and midnight Sunday morning in the United Arab Emirates. For viewers in Asia and Australia, qualifying will take place during the early hours of Sunday morning, including 1:30am in India, 4:00am in Singapore and China, 5:00am in Japan and 6:00am in eastern Australia.
Broadcast coverage is available worldwide through multiple official television partners. In the United Kingdom, fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports. United States viewers can follow the action through Apple TV, while Canadian audiences can tune in on TSN and RDS.
Other major broadcasters include DAZN in Spain and Japan, Canal+ in France, Viaplay in the Netherlands, Sky Deutschland and RTL in Germany, Fox Sports in Australia and Mexico, ESPN across Latin America, and SuperSport throughout Africa.
Formula 1 fans will also have the opportunity to take advantage of special merchandise offers during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. The official F1 Store is currently offering discounts on selected products until Monday evening, with promotional offers available for supporters looking to pick up team gear and memorabilia during the Montreal race weekend.
With Mercedes showing strong speed, Ferrari and McLaren close behind, and Red Bull searching for answers, qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
