For the first time since September 2021, three different drivers on three different teams have won the last three Formula One grand prix. F1 had an excellent month of May, and June 9’s Canadian Grand Prix is shaping up to be an exhilarating spectacle.

May 2024 was truly a special month in Formula One history. McLaren’s Lando Norris took his maiden win in Miami, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen outlasted Norris at Imola, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc became the first Monegasque driver ever to win the legendary Monaco Grand Prix.

All three teams appear to have race-winning pace, and they’ll be presented an interesting challenge this weekend in the form of Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The track possesses elements of traditional circuits, but much of the track is tightly lined with barriers, giving it the overall feel of a curvy street circuit.

There are high-speed sections, most notably the long Casino Straight between turns 10 and 12 (turn 11 is only a slight bend and is comfortably taken flat out). However, most corners are tight and rather low-speed, especially turns 1-7.

The presence of low-speed corners and a long straight make Sunday’s race an exciting prospect, as Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari are all contenders for a win. Red Bull’s Verstappen has won the last two Canadian Grand Prix, but he’s complained of major suspension issues while taking the car over kerbs.

That’ll be a significant concern for Red Bull given Montreal’s miniscule margin for error. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve’s most famous corner, the final chicane at turns 12 and 13, could pose a particular concern.

Getting a good exit out of turn 13 requires heavy kerbing on both entry and exit of the chicane. If Verstappen mishandles his entry, he could end up as another victim of turn 13’s exit barrier, which was aptly named the Wall of Champions after taking out champions Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve in 1999.

Even if Verstappen can avoid becoming another of the Wall’s victims, he could struggle this weekend given the number of corners that require heavy kerbing and tight turns. Teammate Sergio Perez, who was just extended through 2026, is 0-8 against Verstappen in qualifying this year and hasn’t reached Q3 since Miami.

Despite their relative struggles in May, Red Bull (276 points) still hold a 24-point lead in the World Constructor’s Championship standings, while Verstappen (169 points) holds a 31-point lead in the World Driver’s Championship. Red Bull and Verstappen’s biggest threat currently comes in the form of Ferrari.

Ferrari are second in the constructor’s standings (252 points), while drivers Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. are second (138 points) and fourth (108 points) in the driver’s standings.

Leclerc is flying high after finally winning in Monaco. Despite missing March’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with appendicitis, Sainz rebounded by winning the next race in Australia and is currently one point above Red Bull’s Perez (107 points) in the driver’s standings.

Ferrari’s car has been good in high-speed conditions but has struggled to find a setup that excels under both high and low speeds. They were able to succeed in Monaco with a fully downforce-oriented setup, but they’ll have to switch things up for Montreal. Both drivers are in fine form and the car is a fast one, but Ferrari will need to see improved form in slow corners if they hope to rise above Red Bull and McLaren.

Speaking of McLaren, the Woking outfit is in an excellent position heading into this weekend. Their car has seen improved form in low-speed conditions, which had been a goal of the team for some time. They’re third in the constructor’s standings (184 points), comfortably clear of Mercedes in fourth (96 points).

Norris won in Miami and followed up that performance with a close second-place finish at Imola. Teammate Oscar Piastri then qualified and finished second at Monaco. The team has podiums in its last four races and their car may be the best equipped to handle Montreal’s twists and slow corners.

McLaren pose a major threat this weekend. Over the last two and a half years, each race has largely felt like Red Bull’s to lose. However, competition in the constructor’s battle is heating up, and Verstappen’s lead driver’s standings may continue to shrink.

McLaren’s Piastri has threatened his first Grand Prix win for a while now, and Norris seems perpetually involved in battles for the podium. McLaren will enter Montreal feeling confident, and for good reason.

Sunday’s Montreal Grand Prix should be an incredible race. A large number of competitive drivers that will be vying for a small number of podium places, and they’ll be doing it on an exciting circuit that’s been known to produce fireworks in the past.

To listen to myself and John Evans discuss the current state of F1 ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, listen to Episode 3 of The Gym Bag Show, the podcast John and I started in order to talk sports. F1 discussion begins 49:25 into the show.