Drivers are 'concerned' about rain as F1 encounters uncertainty with wet conditions.
Pierre Gasly has stated that Formula 1 drivers might face a significant surprise if rain occurs in Montreal this weekend. Wet weather could still be a factor for the remainder of the Canadian GP weekend, which is particularly important considering the dramatically different characteristics of the new 2026 cars. To this point, teams have conducted very little substantial wet running under the heavily electrified regulations.
However, Alpine driver Gasly has at least had some experience with the conditions, having completed a recent wet-tyre test for Pirelli at Magny-Cours. When asked about the likelihood of rain in Montreal, Gasly issued a warning to his competitors. "You guys are going to be shocked," he stated. "I’m pleased to have done these two days. It should be interesting for you all."
Gasly likened this experience to an earlier wet-weather test he undertook at Silverstone. "I had Silverstone on the 20th of January, which was unforgettable and I think it will stay with me forever," he remarked. "But Magny-Cours was also an experience."
Former Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle noted that many drivers are somewhat apprehensive about how the new-generation cars will perform in wet conditions. "The drivers are slightly nervous about how these cars will respond in the rain," he told Sky. "They have immense power, but less downforce and grip, and they simply don’t know how it will be yet." He added, "No one has really had the chance to push it to the limit in a competitive situation. We could witness some drama."
In the meantime, sprint qualifying in Montreal has reinforced the notion that Mercedes might continue to lead the pack in 2026. Mercedes secured the front row, with George Russell bouncing back after stating earlier in the weekend that he had "no need to panic," despite his teammate Kimi Antonelli currently leading the championship. Nonetheless, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff cautioned that the margins remain incredibly tight.
Conversely, Dr. Helmut Marko expressed a more pessimistic view, stating, "They have the best package," when asked about Mercedes in an interview with Osterreich newspaper. "If the updates work now, the championship is practically decided."
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