(Motorsport-Total.com) – These are crucial questions at every Formula 1 race weekend in 2026. Namely: What is the weather forecast? Is wet track expected on site? Are intermediates or even rain tires needed? Or will it remain consistently dry from practice through qualifying to the race, making dry tires sufficient? In short: What should drivers like Nico Hülkenberg, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton prepare for?
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To answer these questions, our editors have been closely monitoring the weather at the Formula 1 venues several days before the start of tests or race weekends. During the event, this preview article is updated with new weather data such as temperature in degrees Celsius, wind strength, cloud cover, and expected precipitation for each day of the weekend.
The result is as precise a weather forecast as possible for the respective Grands Prix of the 2026 Formula 1 season. However, all information is without guarantee, as some motorsport locations like Spa-Francorchamps or the Nürburgring are known for particularly changeable weather that cannot always be predicted accurately. Precipitation can also occur there unexpectedly.
Next, Formula 1 will hit the track in Montreal from May 22 to 24, 2026, for the Canadian Grand Prix, the fifth race weekend of the year. (Retrieve the complete 2026 Formula 1 calendar here!)
Friday, May 22, 2026
1st Free Practice (6:30-7:30 PM)
At the start of practice in Montreal, temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius are expected. It should be mostly sunny with only a few clouds in the sky. No rain is in sight. The wind blows on average at 15 km/h onto the track and comes from the southwest. Gusts up to 40 km/h are possible. The wind direction means mostly crosswind on the straights.
Sprint Qualifying (from 10:30 PM)
For the sprint qualifying, weather conditions remain practically constant. It should get a bit warmer at 16 degrees. The wind shifts slightly and comes from the west onto the track. This means crosswind on the straights remains.
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Sprint (from 6 PM)
At the start of the second day of running in Montreal, dense clouds dominate the sky over the track. The sun then plays a minor role. But: It is not expected to rain on Saturday either. Temperatures are around 16 degrees Celsius.
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The wind blows weaker than the day before and averages less than ten km/h, but now comes from the southeast. This means, among other things, tailwind on the approach to the first chicane at turn 3. Individual gusts can reach up to 30 km/h.
Qualifying (from 10 PM)
It remains at 16 degrees with dense cloud cover, but again no showers are expected. The wind continues to blow from the southeast onto the track, giving drivers tailwind before turn 3.
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Grand Prix (race start at 10 PM)
On Sunday, it will be unpleasant at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada: Dark clouds bring rain, probably also during the race. From early morning until late at night, showers are expected repeatedly.
Temperatures just exceed the ten-degree Celsius mark. Additionally, there is a light wind from the southeast averaging 13 km/h, which means tailwind on the approach to the first chicane at turn 3. Individual gusts can reach up to 40 km/h.
Note: This forecast will be updated several times during the week!
First forecasts for the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix:
At the beginning of June, temperatures in Monaco reach around 20 degrees Celsius. With an average of six to seven hours of sunshine per day, it should mostly remain dry, but five rainy days per month could make the Formula 1 street race unpredictable.
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