F1 Canadian GP Live Commentary and Updates – Race

Good evening and welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix where the heavens have opened and the track is soaking.

Before we look at the grid order, the drivers are making their way to the grid and both McLaren cars are fitted with intermediate tyres. Grip is minimal and they are struggling to put the power down. 

Unsurprisingly, the timing screen indicates "low grip conditions". However, Perez believes the track could already be prime for intermediates. That would be a gamble! 

Although the rain is still coming down, a dry line is quickly appearing. If there are intermittent showers throughout, expect the pitlane to be extremely busy today! 

Highlighting the struggle, Sargeant has just gone straight on at the hairpin while running intermediates. 

The pit exit is now closed, and drivers will finally line up on the grid - albeit under the awnings to keep everything nice and dry. 

Uh oh. Alonso has warned that Aston Martin expects more rain in 10 minutes. That is not good for the prospect of the race beginning on schedule. 

At the front of the grid, we're being treated to a circus display with lots of flipping and dancing. Only in F1! 

Turning back to the order, and a penny for the thoughts of Russell, who will start from pole for the first time this season. He has Verstappen alongside him but will be entirely focused on getting his second F1 victory. 

In close pursuit though, are the two McLaren drivers, with Norris third and Piastri fourth. 

It must be said, with this weather, it is impossible to avoid thinking about perhaps the greatest F1 race of all time - other opinions are available - the 2011 Canadian GP. Jenson Button's finest hour. 

Offering his latest assessment, Norris has said that he believes the track is currently between intermediates and wets. That's the best way for some fun, weather that matches no tyre perfectly!

Big problems for Ocon as his Alpine has suffered a wastegate problem, meaning he has no power. The team are battling to find a fix and the bodywork is going back on but only time will tell if the fix has been successful. 

The F1 timing screen is wonderful sometimes. "Risk of rain for F1 race is 100%". Insert your own sarcastic reply here...

Just over five minutes to go. It's time to play the music, have a little bop, and then get ready for those five iconic lights. 

We haven't mentioned them yet but there is work to do for Ferrari, with Leclerc and Sainz starting in P11 and 12. These conditions, however, could be just the ticket to elevate the pair up the order. 

However, those starting positions also mean the Ferrari duo are in the firing line of any action that could, and quite likely will, occur. 

The tyres have now been revealed and only Magnussen and Hulkenberg will start on the wet tyre. All other drivers have fitted the intermediate options. 

Given there is more rain on the way, that is a gamble that could pay off. 

There is plenty of standing water around at the moment but a dry line has appeared fairly easily across the sessions this weekend. 

Get your final predictions in now. If you want an open race, this is certainly an outing that fills that criteria. 

So short is the opening lap, the field is now approaching the grid once more. 

The rear of the field is lining up...

Russell crawls off the line but holds the lead as the top four remain in the same order. 

But Ricciardo has dropped two places to Alonso and Hamilton. 

Leclerc had made up a position but runs wide at the hairpin. The Haas of Magnussen is flying on the extreme wets and is up to eighth!

A huge snap of oversteer for Norris out of Turn 9 and he then runs wide at Turn 10. Fortunately, Piastri is giving him plenty of space right now. 

Thanks FIA screen - apparently, the surface is slippery in sector two. 

Leclerc then struggles to get the car slowed down into the final chicane and is forced to take a shortcut. Team-mate Sainz is 15th.

Magnussen is up to sixth now having glided past Ricciardo and Hamilton. The gamble is paying off!

In the lead, Russell has been informed that this level of rain is the worst that Mercedes expects. 

Hulkenberg is following Magnussen and is up to 10th, past Leclerc and all over the back of Stroll.

Make that past Stroll! Magnussen has gained nine places, Hulkenberg eight. If it keeps raining, the Haas drivers will continue flying past people.

Here comes Magnussen onto the McLaren pair. He closes on Piastri and makes the move without a problem on the run to the final chicane. 

Yellow flags flew briefly on lap one, that was for contact between Perez and Gasly, who find themselves 17th and 18th.