FORMULA 1 LENOVO GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2026

A big thank you to Robin at Bodwin Real Estate for her flexibility around the Miami race. Even with the schedule change and uncertainty around the timing, she put on a great event.

Miami showed us that the new regulations are not completely trash. I am going to stay on my high horse here and reiterate that every time the FIA has done a major rule change, this story plays out about the same. One team figures out how it all works and dominates early. Everyone realizes that it doesn't matter how complicated and detailed the rules package is, passing on track won't be what everyone expects (wants). The Pundits decry the end of Formula One. Fans whinge about everything. Teams that missed the target demand changes. Teams that hit the target resist changes. Eventually, there will be enough rule tweaks and changes to bring all the cars into a reasonably competitive zone, at which point, the FIA will drastically change the rules again, and we'll start all over. Rumors around what the next rule package will be are already swirling, and we haven't even finished five races yet!

It's basically Dr. Who with cars.

We head to Canada with the youngest championship leader in history. That's not because Kimi is super talented (though he is). It's mostly down to the fact that when this sport started, you had to be old money to do it. Now the kids start out at 4 with corporate sponsorship and focused development tracks. I expect we'll see an even younger championship leader within the decade.

Notable hits-
-McLaren is back, baby! The papaya pack figured some stuff out, and both cars were reasonably competitive. Not sure they'll be challenging for the title, but definitely expect them to be in the mix for wins.
-Franco Colapinto is the real deal. He had the measure of Gasly all weekend and kept his head down when all around him were losing theirs to bring home an excellent "best of the rest" finish.
-Max Verstappen can drive anything faster than you. Seriously. It doesn't matter what you put the guy in; he can go faster than you.

Notable misses-
-Liam Lawson. (I guess technically, this is a hit, but you know what I mean). I am not a fan of Lawson. Never have been. He's been inferior to every teammate he's had and makes a lot of mistakes. This weekend's collision with Gasly was particularly egregious, and I don't buy the equipment failure excuse he offered to the stewards.
-Audi. I know Hulk qualified 10th, but the whole reason why Audi bought into the Sauber team two years ago was so that they could come out of the gates swinging for the new rule changes. Swinganamiss!
-Aston Martin. Uhg.

We'll be back at The Carolina Ale House for this race. Unfortunately, Bodwin Realtors will not be footing the bill for it, so you'll have to buy your own food and drinks. But I expect to see you all there anyway!