Formula 1 – Canadian Grand Prix race: Start time, leaderboard and lap-by-lap updates in Montreal

Mercedes says this is the ‘worst’ rain they expect during the race.

Although the Haas drivers are currently running on optimal tires, the wet conditions will not be very fast once the track starts to dry.

The drivers appear to be struggling for grip as Russell leads the first lap of the Grand Prix. While the rest of the grid is struggling at inters, Haas’ Kevin Magnussen’s wet tires are treating him well. He is already in P4!

The race is underway in Montreal. George Russell has retained the lead ahead of Max Verstappen!

The McLaren driver, who starts on the second row of the grid, said ‘anything is possible’ in changeable conditions.

“You never know with this weather,” he said to Sky Sports on the starting grid.

During the ESPN broadcast, former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve said he stands by his critical comments about Daniel Ricciardo earlier this weekend.

‘Why is he still in F1? Why?’ Villeneuve was furious with Sky Sports F1 on Friday.

‘We’ve been hearing the same thing for four or five years now. “We have to make the car better for him.” Sorry, it’s been five years. No, you’re in F1.’

On Sunday morning, Villeneuve admitted the Australian race winner was ‘fast’ in qualifying, but insisted ‘you’re only as good as your last few results.’

The drivers went on reconnaissance laps and tested the inters and wet tires to assess the grip on the track.

It looks quite slippery, with scattered puddles and lots of spray coming from the backs of the cars.

The Canadian Grand Prix starts in an hour, and rain is the talk of the Montreal paddock.

Ben Nagle, preparing to head to the grid, tells us that the rain has subsided for the moment, but will likely pick up again once the lights go out.

Expect plenty of drama on the track as tire talk dominates the afternoon.

We’ve already seen some big shunts in the support races this morning and a safety car seems likely at some point.

Both Sauber drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, will start from the pit lane today after making changes to the rear wing specification overnight.

George Russell said he expects the “biggest challenge” of the day will be “predicting the weather.”

The Mercedes driver told F1 TV that he has ‘his eyes on victory’ after taking P1 from reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

However, track conditions in Canada look extremely changeable.

His teammate Lewis Hamilton also predicted that “it will be a difficult day for everyone today.”

In case you missed yesterday’s exciting qualifying session: George Russell starts in P1 next to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

It was a good day for McLaren, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri set to line up side by side on the second row.

Both Ferraris failed to get past Q2, with F1’s most recent race winner Charles Leclerc starting in P11 and Carlos Sainz in P12.

Daniel Ricciardo also set an excellent lap – 10 years after his first F1 victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. He will start from P5.

Welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog for the Canadian Grand Prix.

I’m Emily Selleck, my colleagues Ben Nagle and Jonathan McEvoy are on the track in Montreal, and we’re here to bring you lap-by-lap updates throughout the ninth race of the 2024 F1 season.

The lights go out in just over an hour and victory is up for grabs today with Mercedes’ George Russell on pole and storm clouds overhead.