Our 2026 Canadian GP predictions
About this episode
Momentum, rumors, and Montreal forecasts all get a workout. The hosts shut down chatter about Esteban Ocon being replaced at Haas, while explaining why Kimi Antonelli won’t race at the Nürburgring. With Canada framed as a sprint weekend, they lay out sprint pole/sprint winner and main-race pole predictions—leaning Mercedes for qualifying edge, but picking McLaren for the sprint. They also run fantasy-style reliability vs speed angles and finish with their P1/P2/P3 game and Patreon predictions.
WE’RE BACK! After another agonising break, we’re here with some spicy predictions for the Canadian GP sprint weekend - plus, a bizarre driver rumour that needs addressing…
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mid-season replacement
"this could age badly, but shouldn't be being replaced mid-season because this is just a kind of false rumor."
A mid-season replacement means changing drivers while the season is still going. In F1, it’s hard to do quickly because contracts and payments make it complicated.
A mid-season replacement is when a driver is swapped out during the racing calendar rather than waiting for the next season. In F1, it usually requires contractual changes and buyout/compensation terms, which is why the hosts argue it’s unlikely for Ocon.
blocked
"Another thing to mention is that Kimi Antonelli, no chance of him racing at the Nürburgring because that has been blocked."
“Blocked” here means he isn’t allowed to do that plan. The hosts are saying Antonelli can’t race at the Nürburgring right now because permission has been denied.
In motorsport context, “blocked” means a plan or permission has been denied—here, Kimi Antonelli’s ability to race at the Nürburgring. The hosts treat it as a team/management decision rather than a simple scheduling issue.
Nürburgring
"Another thing to mention is that Kimi Antonelli, no chance of him racing at the Nürburgring because that has been blocked."
The Nürburgring is a well-known racing track in Germany. The hosts are talking about whether Kimi Antonelli can race there and why his team is saying “probably not.”
The Nürburgring is a famous German motorsport venue, best known for the Nordschleife (“Green Hell”) circuit. In this segment, it’s used as the specific event Antonelli wants to do, and the hosts discuss why his team is preventing it.
Mercedes
"Mercedes said, replied to basically Kimi Antonelli saying, yeah, I'm going to get my license next year and do it, it should be fun. And Mercedes is like, no, he was only joking."
Mercedes is one of the big F1 teams. They’re being quoted about whether Kimi Antonelli will actually race at the Nürburgring, and the hosts explain why the team seems to be saying “not yet.”
Mercedes is a Formula 1 team and brand that manages driver decisions and public messaging. Here, the hosts reference Mercedes’ response to Kimi Antonelli’s comments about getting his license and racing at the Nürburgring, and they discuss how team leadership (including Bradley Lord) frames the likelihood of it happening.
untouchable
"you kind of get to that point where you are untouchable and it doesn't really matter what you say or do because Red Bull aren't going to be like, no, Max, you're not racing at the Nürburgring, we're going to fire you."
“Untouchable” means the team won’t really challenge or punish him because he’s too important. The hosts are saying Max has that kind of leverage, while Antonelli doesn’t yet.
“Untouchable” is a motorsport power-dynamics idea: a top driver becomes so valuable to the team that management is unlikely to discipline or remove them. The hosts use it to explain why Max can do things that the team would not allow for a less-established driver like Antonelli.
Canadian Grand Prix sprint weekend
"Right, my good surprise for the Canadian Grand Prix. Remember, it's a sprint weekend as well. Lots of predictions to come."
On some F1 weekends, there’s a Sprint race before the main race. The Sprint helps decide where cars start for the Grand Prix, so it can shake up predictions.
A sprint weekend in Formula 1 includes a shorter race format (the Sprint) that affects the grid for the main Grand Prix. That can change strategy and prediction logic because qualifying results and Sprint performance both matter.
podium
"George Russell. George Russell, if you do not get me a point this weekend, get back on the podium, probably win. I reckon that he's got a great chance."
In F1, a podium finish means you finish in the top three. The hosts are saying Russell needs a top-three result to help his season.
A podium in Formula 1 means finishing in the top three positions (1st, 2nd, or 3rd). The hosts use it as a key performance target for George Russell as part of a championship comeback narrative.
Q2
"Of course, the level of good surprise for us to Martin these days would be getting into Q2, running in a top 10 position during the race or something crazy"
In F1 qualifying, Q2 is one of the timed rounds that decides who advances and where cars line up. Getting into Q2 (or running near the top) is treated as a sign things are going better than expected.
Q2 is the second segment of Formula 1 qualifying, where drivers aim to make it into the next round (Q3) or at least secure a strong starting position. The hosts mention Q2 as a benchmark for a “surprising” result given how poorly the car has been performing.
qualifying head to head
"And also that I saw a stat that basically he's got the worst qualifying head to head at this track of his whole career. And we all know how good Charles is at qualifying."
It’s basically a matchup of two drivers during qualifying—who sets the better qualifying time more often. Since qualifying decides where you start the race, it’s a big deal.
“Qualifying head to head” compares two drivers’ results in qualifying sessions, usually looking at who out-qualifies the other more often. In F1, qualifying is crucial because it largely determines starting position for the race.
sprint pole position
"Now I mentioned it is a sprint weekend, which means we head to sprint pole position. George Russell, George, my guy, please get me back in this championship."
On sprint weekends, there’s a short race before the main one. If you win that sprint, you start the Grand Prix from pole—first place.
In F1, a sprint weekend includes a shorter “sprint” race that sets the grid for the main Grand Prix. “Sprint pole position” refers to winning the sprint and starting first for the Grand Prix.
qualifying edge
"I do think Mercedes still have that qualifying edge. So I’m going to go for Antonelli sprint poll... I also think Mercedes will have that edge."
Qualifying edge means a team or driver tends to be especially strong in qualifying sessions, putting them in better starting positions. In F1, starting near the front often improves race strategy options and reduces the risk of getting stuck in traffic.
Montreal
"I think Mercedes are bringing lots of stuff to Montreal. So they may will have a bigger edge than they had previously."
Montreal is where the Canadian Grand Prix is held. The track layout can favor certain cars and teams, so it matters for predictions.
Montreal is shorthand for the Canadian Grand Prix venue (Circuit Gilles Villeneuve). Track characteristics there—like heavy braking zones and traction demands—can influence which teams have an advantage.
sprint winner
"Let’s go to sprint winner, Tom Bellingham... Sprint winner. I’ve gone for Oscar Piastri... Think if they can continue their amazing starts and in a short race, a bit like we saw last time out, they can deliver."
The sprint winner is simply the driver who wins the Sprint race. Since the Sprint happens before the main race and can affect how the weekend plays out, it’s a key prediction target.
Sprint winner refers to the driver who wins the Sprint race on a Formula 1 weekend. Because Sprint results affect points and can influence starting positions, predicting the sprint winner is a meaningful way to forecast weekend momentum.
McLaren
"I'm going to go for Oscar Piastri and put a McLaren to win the sprint... you know, I'm going to go for pole for Lando. ... I do think that McLaren are going to be strong again"
McLaren is a Formula 1 team. They’re predicting McLaren will do well—both in the sprint and in qualifying for pole.
McLaren is a Formula 1 constructor team that competes at the front of the grid and is often highlighted for strong car performance. Here, the hosts predict McLaren will be strong in both sprint results and pole-position outcomes.
gravel trap
"Lewis Hamilton 2007 did where I was leading all the way and then went into the gravel trap on the pit lane."
A gravel trap is a safety zone next to the track with gravel. If a car goes off, the gravel helps slow it down fast, but it can also ruin your race.
A gravel trap is a runoff area filled with gravel designed to slow a car quickly if it leaves the track. It’s a safety feature that can also end a driver’s race due to damage or loss of control.
Ferrari
"I do think that McLaren are going to be strong again, particularly, you know, in comparison to Ferrari."
Ferrari is another Formula 1 team. The hosts are comparing Ferrari to Mercedes and McLaren to guess who will be fastest.
Ferrari is a Formula 1 constructor team and one of the sport’s most historic competitors. In this segment, Ferrari is used as a comparison point for which teams will be strongest at the Canadian GP.
George Russell
"And I think he'll be much more competitive here. So I've gone for George Russell for P1. My first position, because I've blocked myself entirely here."
George Russell is an F1 driver. They’re predicting how well he’ll do in the upcoming race.
George Russell is a Formula 1 driver, and the hosts are making a race prediction around his expected competitiveness. In this segment, he’s the pick for their first-position outcome.
Antonelli
"Give me Antonelli. Now I'm thinking, how does he flop and still win? That's my big question here."
Antonelli is the name of the driver they’re talking about. They’re using him as a “what if” pick for how the weekend could go.
Antonelli refers to an F1 driver being discussed as a key wildcard in the hosts’ predictions. They talk about scenarios where he might win or fail to top sessions, framing him as a central variable for their points.
random position that is generated on the spot
"Now let's go to our new feature for this season, the P what? The what? Which basically is a random position that is generated on the spot. And I am the one that needs to go first for this."
They’re playing a prediction game. They randomly pick a finishing spot (like P9), and then you have to guess which driver could land there.
They introduce a game where a “P” number (finishing position) is randomly generated during the episode. The host then has to name a driver associated with that position range, turning race predictions into a quick, on-the-fly challenge.
Pierre Gasly
"And it is P9. Pierre Gasly. Pierre Gasly, P9. Thank you."
Pierre Gasly is an F1 driver. In their game, they pick him for the randomly chosen position (P9).
Pierre Gasly is an F1 driver used in the episode’s random-position prediction game. They assign him to P9 as the generated finishing position.
Oli Bearman
"Thank you. Oli Bearman. Oh, a little hash bounce. Driver that's yeah, sprung to mind. Didn't score points to the in the last two."
Oli Bearman is an F1 driver. They’re picking him for the position in their prediction game.
Oli Bearman is an F1 driver mentioned as the host’s pick for the random-position feature. They reference his recent points situation and choose him as the answer for their assigned spot.
Q1, Q2, Q3
"Mine is Kimmy Antonelli does not top a single competitive session for the main weekend. Let's not do both main weekend is enough. So he doesn't top Q1, Q2, Q3, or the race doesn't win the race."
In F1 qualifying, there are multiple rounds called Q1, Q2, and Q3. Drivers get knocked out after each round, and the final round decides the front of the starting grid.
Q1, Q2, and Q3 are the three stages of Formula 1 qualifying. Drivers are eliminated after each stage, with Q3 determining the top grid positions.
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