Latest news with #Formula1GrandPrixduCanada
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Russell grabs dazzling Canadian GP pole then jokes at Verstappen's expense
"Crossing the line and seeing we were P1 was a real surprise, but I was so chuffed with it. It was probably one of the most exhilarating laps of my life, an awesome experience in front of this amazing crowd.' Mercedes' British driver George Russell gestures after winning the pole position during the qualifying session for the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 14, 2025. (Photo by Geoff Robins / AFP) Mercedes' George Russell grabbed a dazzling pole position and then enjoyed cracking a joke at rival Max Verstappen's expense on Saturday after clocking a sensational lap in qualifying for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Briton was delighted with what he described as 'one of the most exhilarating laps of my life' and said, when asked about the prospect of starting alongside Red Bull's four-time champion, that he had 'a few more penalty points to play with'. His light-hearted jibe referred to his verbal rivalry with Verstappen since last season and their recent clash at the Spanish Grand Prix — where the Dutchman rammed into Russell's car in the closing stages. Verstappen was handed a timed penalty that dropped him to 10th and also given three points on his drivers' super-licence, taking him to a total of 11 and within one point of a ban if he commits any further misdemeanors. Fans in the capacity crowd at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve roared their approval as Russell warmed to his theme after clocking the only sub 1.11 lap of the weekend to date. 'We're mates' 'We're mates, so it's all good,' insisted Russell, despite his tense and often strained relationship with Verstappen who, in Barcelona, said 'give him some tissues' after their clash. 'But I've got a few more points on my license to play with so, yeah, let's see,' Russell said. It may have been good-natured fun, but it was also a reminder to Verstappen that he cannot risk repeating his 'red mist' aggression and a possible race ban on Sunday. Russell captured his first pole this year at the end of a thrilling session. Russell clocked a best lap in one minute and 10.899 seconds to outpace Verstappen by 0.160 seconds. 'On my steering wheel, you've got the delta and I just saw every corner that I was just going one-tenth quicker and I got into the last corner and I was six-tenths off so I knew the lap was mighty,' Russell said. 'Crossing the line and seeing we were P1 was a real surprise, but I was so chuffed with it. It was probably one of the most exhilarating laps of my life, an awesome experience in front of this amazing crowd.' Verstappen, who is third in this year's drivers' title race behind the McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, shook hands with Russell to congratulate him, but will harbour hopes of claiming an unprecedented fourth consecutive Canadian win. Last year, Russell led from pole for 20 laps before pitting to hand the lead to Norris for five laps until he also pitted. Verstappen then took control to win ahead of Norris with Russell coming home third. 'I'm very happy with what we have achieved to be on the front row,' said Verstappen, having claimed Red Bull's 200th front row start. 'Tomorrow, we can have a solid race. We did the right thing with the tyres.' 'Childish, annoying' Asked about starting alongside Russell, the champion refused to comment, showing real irritation about the speculation on penalty points and bans. 'I'm not talking about it anymore,' he said, having already confirmed he would not change his aggressive style. 'It's a waste of time to discuss this. It's so childish and it is really annoying.' Russell's sixth career pole confirmed Mercedes' potential for success at the high-speed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The late-session drama lifted the oft-warring pair clear of championship leader Piastri and Kimi Antonelli in the second Mercedes. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was fifth for Ferrari ahead of two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Norris in the second McLaren and Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari. Impressive rookie Isack Hadjar was ninth for Racing Bulls and Alex Albon 10th for Williams. Piastri, who leads Norris by 10 points in the title race after nine of this year's 24 races, was happy to recover form after a difficult practice. 'To be honest, after how practice went, I am pretty happy,' he said. 'We chose to go with softs … We wanted to keep it safe.'
The Province
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Province
Formula One drives spectators to Montreal this weekend
Tom Mayenknecht: Blue Jays on a hot streak, and NBA and NHL enjoying gripping final series. Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton races during the first practice session for the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 13, 2025. (Photo by Geoff Robins / AFP) Photo by GEOFF ROBINS / AFP via Getty Images This is the weekend of the single biggest annual sport tourism event in Canada: The Canadian Grand Prix of Formula 1 automobile racing in Montreal. It reaches its climax Sunday at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Île Notre-Dame, but not before attracting more than 300,000 spectators and generating government tax revenues north of $17 million, with a projected economic impact of $162 million, including approximately $110 million driven by visitors from outside of Quebec. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Some economists believe such marquee events have a net economic impact of zero, suggesting there are few full-time permanent jobs created. They also point out that tax revenues are nearly offset by the cost of public funding through government grants and sponsorships. Yet the eyeball test is always a helpful assessment, and there is no denying the spike in hotel rooms, restaurant visits and merchandising sales this weekend in Montreal — not to mention the increasingly large television audiences that F1 is registering in North America and around the world, especially in Europe and Asia. That kind of exposure drives incremental tourism dollars throughout the year, all pumping up the gross domestic product of the Quebec economy — some say to the tune of $67.4 million per year. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's also been a bullish week for the Toronto Blue Jays, who go into a tough weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies with eight wins in their last 10 starts and tied for the third-best record in the American League and sixth-best in Major League Baseball. More impressively for a ballclub that was the poster child of inconsistency throughout the first six weeks of the regular season, the Jays are on a 22-10 run and have the best record in baseball over the past month. The big question is: What does the Rogers-owned franchise do at the trade deadline, especially given the impending free agency of Bo Bichette? For most sports fans in North America, however, the most important content being generated this week relates to the one-two punch that is the NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the defending champion Florida Panthers, as well as the NBA Finals pitting the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Indiana Pacers. The NBA series has added story angles and fan hooks given four Canadians on the two teams, including MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Short sidebar on the Panthers: With the Abbotsford Canucks playing the Florida affiliate — the Charlotte Checkers — in the championship series, they are the first organization since 2008 that has had teams in the Stanley Cup and Calder Cup finals in the same year. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins made it 17 years ago, but neither won. Bears-of-the-Week The NHL and NBA have done a masterful job of going shoulder to shoulder during their respective playoffs that began the same Saturday, back on the second weekend of April. It's certainly been a boon for sports bars and restaurants for the past two months. Yet the limits to the bilateral cooperation between the two leagues when it comes to scheduling revealed itself this week with some yawning holes in programming this week. It's one thing to avoid each other in head-to-head conflicts, it's another to dance around concerts and other events. Every night off at this time of year — especially when live action in one or both of the two leagues goes dark for two consecutive nights — runs the risk of saying bye-bye to casual sports fans; those more likely to stay engaged with games every night. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. We've known the NHL was going to be down in its television numbers south of the border, especially without the multi-generational following of U.S.-based Original Six franchises (the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and New York Ranger) and a Canadian-based team in the final. Yet the Canadian engagement driven by the Edmonton Oilers makes it exactly the opposite here north of the 49th parallel, where most fans are wondering if Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can deliver the first Stanley Cup to Canada in 32 years. Tom Mayenknecht is the host of The Sport Market on Sportsnet 650 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Vancouver-based sport business commentator and principal in Emblematica Brand Builders provides a behind-the-scenes look at the sport business stories that matter most to fans. Follow Mayenknecht at: Read More Vancouver Canucks Sports News Vancouver Whitecaps Soccer
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Toronto Sun
Montreal Grand Prix fans stuck paying turbocharged prices for accommodation
Published Jun 12, 2025 • 4 minute read Aston Martin's Canadian driver Lance Stroll, left, and Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton speak with each other as they walk in the paddock during previews ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 12, 2025. Photo by GEOFF ROBINS / AFP via Getty Images MONTREAL — Paula Wadden has been a huge Formula One fan ever since she got hooked on the Netflix show 'Drive to Survive' a few years ago. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But the Halifax-area health-care worker says watching the Grand Prix in Montreal this weekend comes with high-octane prices. The Montreal hotel where she's spending the first part of the week doubles in price for the weekend. Instead, she'll spend the weekend at a hotel outside the city, near the airport, for about $600 a night. 'The tickets (prices) are OK, it's the accommodation and the means that are getting expensive,' she said Tuesday in Old Montreal. 'I don't know how the average Joe can afford it.' Wadden said the trip, which she's taking with her daughter and her daughter's partner, will cost $6,000 to $7,000. And that's despite the switch in hotels and the decision to save money by driving the 12 hours from Halifax rather than flying. Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While looking up hotels online, she said she saw even more eye-watering hotel prices ranging between $1,200 to more than $2,000 a night, as well as $4,000-per night Airbnbs. The Grand Prix is Montreal's biggest tourist event, expected to attract some 350,000 visitors and generate $162 million for the city, according to the head of Tourisme Montreal. Yves Lalumiere estimates average hotel room prices on Grand Prix weekend at $600 to $800 per night — although some wealthy CEOs will pay $8,000 for a suite. 'This year's prices will probably stabilize quite a bit, maybe a two to three per cent increase over the previous year,' he said in an interview. 'But the last five years I've seen an increase year after year, and a substantial increase as well.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A ticket package for the three race days starts at $360, according to the Canadian Grand Prix website — though well-off fans can pay much more. Packages with perks such as VIP concierge service, reservations at popular restaurants and parties, and access to areas such as pit lanes and paddocks can run in the tens of thousands of dollars. However, Lalumiere noted that the city also offers plenty of free entertainment, including a Grand Prix party on Crescent Street. And he said hotel room prices are still 'very competitive,' especially for those paying in U.S. dollars or euros. Crowds, meanwhile, are not only growing but also becoming more diverse, he said. 'I think F1 has done a great job in selling the sport over the media,' Lalumiere said. 'And, therefore, now you're attracting a lot more ladies, you're attracting a lot more young people as well to the race.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Black-and-white checkered banners were already fluttering on St-Paul Street in Old Montreal on Tuesday, as tourists lined up to photograph a Formula One car on display outside Max Bitton's racing-themed store, Fanabox. Bitton said he brought in the car as a gift to fans after last year's Grand Prix, which was marred by mishaps on and off the track that left a bad taste in some fans' mouths. Those issues included traffic headaches, flooding from rain, fans turned away from a practice session they were led to believe was cancelled, and restaurants ordered to suddenly close their patios on one of the busiest evenings of the year. 'I'm trying to give back because last year was so tough,' Bitton said. While Grand Prix fans are generally well-off, Bitton also worries about rising prices, especially now that the city has imposed tougher new rules on short-term rentals for primary residences. Next year, the Grand Prix will be held from May 22 to 24, which is outside the June-to-September window in which primary residence rentals are allowed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'A lot of the fans love to flock here because of the heritage and they love this place,' Bitton said. 'They're willing to pay more but at some point it doesn't make sense.' At Bitton's store, tourists said attending the Grand Prix was costly, but worthwhile. Max Harrison, from Bournemouth in southern England, said he managed to find a spot in a hostel for about $40 a night early in the week. For race weekend, he's spending $200 a night to stay in a room in an Airbnb shared with several others. 'It's a bit much, you can tell they've spiked (the prices),' he said. He believes 'Drive to Survive' has brought new fans to the sport, which means prices will only continue to go up. But for him, it's worth it to check the Montreal Grand Prix off his bucket list. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The championship this year is looking really close, so it's going to be a really good race,' he said. 'And Canada is a beautiful place and I've always wanted to come.' Denise Beevor and Mark Omerod, from West Sussex in England, say they're spending 'a small fortune' for a 10-day trip that includes Sunday's race as well as stops in Quebec City and Mont-Tremblant. 'I think, particularly since COVID, it's important to have things to look forward to and to take memories away with you, and you can't replace that,' Beevor said. 'Possessions come and go, memories don't.' The CEO of the greater Montreal hotels association said the occupancy this weekend is expected to be around 90 per cent, similar to last year. Dominique Villeneuve said the industry was prepared to meet the demands of Grand Prix weekend 'enthusiastically and with the same professionalism that characterizes our industry.' World World Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA Celebrity
