Stroll, Latifi thankful for return of hometown Canadian Grand Prix

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has been a lot quieter than usual the past two summers.

Normally, for a weekend every June, all eyes in auto racing shift to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix. But like much else in the sports world and beyond, COVID-19 forced the cancelation of the race in 2020 and 2021.

Canadian travel restrictions, quarantine periods and local public health guidelines made the event virtually impossible. Formula One held a 17-race season in 2020 and a full slate last year, but fans north of the border were left waiting for their only stop on the schedule to return.

That wait is finally over, and F1’s two Canadian drivers – Lance Stroll and Nicholas Latifi –  couldn’t be happier.

“I’ve missed the races in Montreal, great memories racing there in the past. You know, it hasn’t been the same. A season in Formula One without the Canadian Grand Prix, it’s just not the same. So, really looking forward to it,” Stroll told TSN’s Tim Hauraney.

“I mean, it’s home. I feel like from the second I enter the paddock, the support from all the fans and the energy, excitement around the weekend. Montreal, I think, is one of the most exciting and fun races in the season because the city gets buzzing on Grand Prix weekend.”

For Latifi, who has not yet raced in Canada as a professional, it’s extra special.

“I guess when I think about finally getting to have a home Grand Prix this year the word that comes to mind is ‘Finally.’ It’s my third season in F1 and unfortunately, I have not had the experience racing as a full-time driver in Montreal,” he said to Hauraney.

Before replacing Robert Kubica full-time at Williams in 2020, Latifi was a test driver at Force India in 2018 and with Williams the year after. He participated in Free