The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix might see teams grappling with rain, creating an unfamiliar challenge due to limited wet running experience with the new cars and tyres. While a few teams have tested in wet conditions, many will face uncharted territory come race day.
Rain has been the talk of the town in Canada, and unlike the dry spell that surprised us in Miami, the skies over Montreal may well open up this weekend. This wouldn't just be another wet race; it's the first time the 2026 cars and tyres would face a deluge during an official session, and teams are still figuring out their wet weather manners.
Some teams have dabbled in wet conditions during testing, but the knowledge gathered is patchy at best. Alpine and Mercedes have had the opportunity to splash around a bit, with Alpine taking a soaking at Silverstone during a filming day and Mercedes getting damp on the W17's maiden voyage. Ferrari and Red Bull also braved the elements at a Barcelona shakedown, but that was ages ago in development terms, practically prehistoric.
Fast forward to more recent times, and Pirelli's 2027 wet tyre tests have provided a glimpse into the future. Red Bull and Racing Bulls tackled a rainy Suzuka, with the likes of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson taking the wheel. Even Lewis Hamilton got in on the action with a dedicated wet run at Fiorano. Alpine's Pierre Gasly also had a go at Magny-Cours, but he was in a 2025 'mule' car, making the data less relevant.
So, it seems a few teams have some idea of what to expect. But for many, Sunday could be a trial by water. McLaren's Andrea Stella admits that those who've had wet practice will have an edge, particularly since the power units can be temperamental in the rain. "In the wet, things deviate even more from what you anticipate," he notes.
The tyres will be a major focus too. Pirelli's task of creating 2026 wet tyres with limited real-world data was no small feat, and the top three finishers in the Sprint, who also qualified fastest for Sunday's race, expect a tough time if it rains. George Russell, for one, recalls last year's wet tyres being less than cooperative, and Lando Norris is apprehensive about driving on a low-grip street circuit with a thousand horsepower underfoot.
Kimi Antonelli adds that Montreal's lack of high-speed corners makes tyre temperature a real headache. "It's those first few laps where you're just sliding around," he explains. "Once you get temperature, it's not too bad, but getting there is the trick."
Even wet weather expert Max Verstappen is concerned. Despite his experience in Barcelona's wet conditions earlier this year, he knows the challenge ahead. "Reaching the temperature window was hard enough on a track where you can switch on the tyres," he says. "On wet tyres tomorrow, it will be a big struggle."
In short, if the rain does fall on race day, expect a baptism by rain for some, while a few might just navigate the puddles with a bit more ease.