Sports

With the start of NHL free agency less than one month away, we check in on the Vancouver Canucks pair of Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov.

Chip or no chip in the football, Calgary Stampeders kicker Rene Paredes didn’t care.

The longest-serving player in the lineup at age 39 was a perfect 6-for-6 in field goals with his longest from 52 yards in Calgary’s 32-24 win Friday over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL season-opener for both teams. 

Paredes contributed 20 points to Calgary’s first win of 2024 with his foot, including kicks from 43, 42, 37, 36, and 25 yards, plus two converts.

The CFL announced earlier Friday that teams can decide before each game whether punters and kickers will boot a football with a microchip in it to generate real-time stats.

Winnipeg kicker Sergio Castillo was critical of a chip after missing two of three field goals and a convert Thursday, and suggested the chip changed the trajectory of the ball.

Neither Paredes nor Calgary’s head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson revealed the chip status of the balls he kicked Friday.

“I’m not talking about it. I’m over it,” Paredes said. “It’s been settled.”

Said Dickenson: “Kick the ball. Kick it through. You saw what our guy did. Our guy kicked the ball right through the uprights every time. I don’t have any issues if it’s chipped or non-chipped. You’ve got a job to do. I think it’s a bunch of nothing.”

Calgary’s quarterback Jake Maier had more receiver support via some acrobatic catches than Hamilton counterpart Bo Levi Mitchell, who was hampered by couple drops by targets, in Mitchell’s first game at McMahon Stadium since Calgary traded him in November 2022.

“I’ve said it all camp. This is the deepest group we’ve had in quite some time,” Maier said of his receivers. “They all believe in themselves and they all the ability to make big plays for us. Makes my life pretty easy.”

Clark Barnes and rookie Cam Echols each had a touchdown catch for Calgary in front of an announced crowd of 19,741. Maier competed 21 of 26 passes for 252 yards and a pair of touchdown throws.

Mitchell was 27-for-38 in passing for 300 yards, a touchdown throw and one interception. The two-time winner of the league’s most outstanding player award during his decade in Calgary was pulled on the final drive of the first half for concussion protocol, but returned to start the second half.

The Tiger-Cats were called for too-many-men on the field twice in the first half.

“There were some good plays and there were some timing things that we’ve got to clean up, but they’re things that are easy to fix,” Mitchell said.

Ticats’ kicker Marc Liegghio was good from 10, 35 and 42 yards, but missed from 47. Ante Litre scored a rushing touchdown and Kiondre Smith had a touchdown catch for Hamilton.

James Butler rushed for 119 yards in Scott Milanovich’s first regular-season game as Hamilton’s head coach.

Calgary scored points on each of its first five possessions before Maier took a knee on the sixth at halftime for a 19-7 lead.

Hamilton scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Trailing by eight and with the ball in their hands on the final drive, the Tiger-Cats couldn’t overcome the deficit of starting from their own four-yard line.

Misfortune struck Hamilton midway through the third quarter when Shemar Bridges dropped a catchable ball on the Stampeders’ door step, Liegghio was wide right on his subsequent 47-yard attempt and Calgary’s Erik Brooks ran the missed kick back 84 yards to Hamilton’s 32-yard-line.

The Stampeders didn’t convert the turnover into a touchdown, however, and led 22-7 on Paredes’ 37-yarder. Calgary parlayed Demerio Houston’s first interception as a Stampeder into Paredes’ fourth field goal of the first half and a 19-4 lead. 

Houston, who led the CFL in picks with seven for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2023, grabbed Mitchell’s intended throw to Bridges.

Calgary (6-12) and Hamilton (8-10) finished third in their respective divisions and lost out in the divisional semifinals in 2023.

“When you come off a six-win season, you look forward to hitting that re-set button and getting another crack at it,” Maier said.

STAMPEDERS RECORD

With their 700th win in franchise history, the Stampeders lead all CFL clubs. Calgary was tied with Edmonton at 699 using the creation of the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union in 1907 and the Western Interprovincial Football Union in 1936 as the CFL-observed starting points.

SEASON OPENERS

Calgary improved to 39-35-4 and 5-0 against Hamilton all-time in season-openers.

UP NEXT

The Stampeders are on the road June 15 against the B.C. Lions. The Tiger-Cats head home to host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on June 16. 

Three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and the Toronto Blue Jays going scoreless in the first inning.

TORONTO — Trevor Richards was standing at his locker in the Blue Jays clubhouse chatting with a reporter when pitching coach Pete Walker strolled by with a message.

“This guy’s a stud,” Walker said without breaking stride.

The unpromoted endorsement underscores the importance of Richards to the Blue Jays pitching staff right now. With Alek Manoah injured and the club lacking depth, the right-handed reliever has stepped in as a spot starter to open games.

Richards tossed two scoreless innings and recorded four strikeouts in his start against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday and depending on how things shake out over the next few days, he could open again in Oakland this Sunday, which is the next time the fifth spot in the rotation would be needed.

This reliever-starter dance is nothing new for the 31-year-old Richards. He broke into the majors as a starting pitcher with the Miami Marlins before moving to the bullpen with the Tampa Bay Rays. Since joining the Blue Jays in 2021, he’s filled in as a spot starter and the right-hander declares he truly has no preference between the roles.

“No, not really,” Richards says. “Whatever is needed. It’s the same thing — I’m just trying to get outs and get as deep as I can.”

It may sound like Richards is being clichéd, but his sentiment is actually genuine. He’s as low-maintenance a pitcher as you’ll find and that’s a quality manager John Schneider appreciates.

“He’s just a flat liner,” Schneider says before mimicking a conversation he’ll typically have with Richards:

“‘Hey, you good?’

“’Yep, I’m good.’”

Richards, who sports a 2.97 ERA over 30.1 innings this season, has been the Swiss Army Knife of the Blue Jays’ staff. He’s been trusted to hold a lead late in games but has also contributed in emergencies like last week against the White Sox when he tossed 3.1 frames of relief after Manoah exited his start in the second inning.

“Guys like that get so tucked away and people don’t really give them the recognition they deserve,” says Schneider. “‘Hey, you’re going to open. Hey, you’re pitching in the seventh. Hey, you’re pitching three innings.’ It’s great to have guys like that.

“And yes, he’s low maintenance.”

Fellow Blue Jays reliever Tim Mayza calls Richards a “calming presence” who doesn’t ever get too excited. He says that persona is authentic and extends into Richards’s personal life. He’s the same way as a father and as a friend, according to Mayza.

“He’s never surprised, never caught off guard. Just accepts it and moves on and makes decisions on the fly,” Mayza says. “Everything about Trevor is just very calm. I tend to be a little high-strung, so it’s nice to have a teammate like that.”

Mayza has started a few games over his career during spring training and says that job is just not something he’s suited for anymore. The left-hander prefers the fire-drill type of environment that life in the pen presents.

“There’s just a lot of lead up into being a starter with the stuff they go through,” says Mayza. “I’m a very spur-of-the-moment person, so I like the pace of the bullpen. We get ready and there’s not too much thought that goes into it. That’s more fitting for me.

“I know [Richards] has been a starter and done the opener thing,” he adds. “I think he has it down to what he needs to get ready for him to open. He does it well.”

Richards says his routine remains the exact same whether he’s starting or pitching in relief. For example, he strength trains on certain days of the week and while Tuesday’s start against Baltimore happened to fall on one such day, Richards didn’t alter anything. He visited the weight room and got his work in hours before toeing the rubber at Rogers Centre.

Richards says he actively tries to deploy the mindset that a start is just another day. It’s different than how he operated when he came up as a young hurler, though.

“If I had the mentality that I have now back then, I think I would have probably been better back then,” he says. “As a young pitcher in my first, second year in the big leagues, I put a lot of a lot of pressure on myself and on every start and, honestly, every pitch. I think that can weigh on a pitcher. [Now,] I just attack and see what happens and I think that would have helped years ago.”

The right-hander has allowed just four runs across 15.1 innings (2.34 ERA) in his eight starts for the Blue Jays since 2022. That success has created an interesting dilemma for Schneider. It would be easy to continue to run Richards out as a starter, however, the cost includes a hole being created in the bullpen that others must fill. Additionally, the short- and long-term health of the right-hander needs to be considered.

The load on Richards and the pitching staff could be lightened in the coming days with the expected return of Yariel Rodriguez, who made his fourth appearance with triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday as he continues to rehab from a spine issue.

Rodriguez tossed 43 pitches during the game and added 15 more in the bullpen following his outing in an effort to build up his workload. Schneider said the right-hander felt good and will throw a side session this weekend before the club decides on whether his next appearance will come with the Bisons or Blue Jays.

When Rodriguez eventually returns he could start or, perhaps more likely, follow an opener and cover bulk innings in the middle of a game.

Whatever happens, though, the Blue Jays know Richards will be the constant in a sea of change.

“We’re lucky to have his resiliency,” says Schneider. “He’s one of those guys — he’ll do whatever we need him to do.”

Caitlin Clark made seven 3-pointers, equaled a career high with 30 points and made enough of her free throws down the stretch to help the Indiana Fever hold on for an 85-83 victory over the winless Washington Mystics on Friday night.

For everybody not directly involved in the Stanley Cup Final, Buffalo is the centre of the hockey world this week.

The annual NHL Draft Scouting Combine has been happening since Monday in the Queen City and wraps up on the weekend with the bulk of the fitness testing for 100 2024 draft hopefuls currently in Western New York.

(A few of the tests are completed before Saturday).

While the endless interviews — and, to a lesser degree, the results of bike sprints and pullups — can influence what NHL clubs decide to do come draft day, there tends to be a lot of consensus already constructed in terms of the top three-to-five picks by the time we annually land in Buffalo.

But that is not the case this year.

The San Jose Sharks are going to walk on to the stage at the Sphere in Vegas on June 28 and select centre Macklin Celebrini — who is slated to take part in the fitness testing in Buffalo — first overall. After that, there’s going to be way more bated breath than usual surrounding each selection as we see how the board falls.

Two highly intriguing Russian players — goal-getting winger Ivan Demidov and 6-foot-7 defenceman Anton Silayev — are not in Buffalo, just as Russian scoring whiz Matvei Michkov was not at the combine 12 months ago.

It’s conceivable both Demidov and Silayev could be gone by pick No. 4.

A third player from that corner of the world — Belarusian Artyom Levshunov — is also firmly in the mix to go soon after Celebrini. The right-shot D-man is at the combine after playing in North America the past two seasons  — first in the USHL, then in the NCAA with Michigan State — and just might be the first defenceman off the board in a draft that’s saturated with intriguing blue-liners.

Joining Levshunov and Silayev in the high-end defenceman conversation are two rearguards who just clashed at the Memorial Cup — Sam Dickinson of the London Knights and Zayne Parekh of the champion Saginaw Spirit — as well as Zeev Buium of the NCAA-champion Denver Pioneers.

Dickinson, Parekh and Buium are all in Buffalo, where the fitness testing takes centre stage on Saturday. In addition to having their height and wingspan measured, the athletes will take part in a variety of strength and endurance tests.

Here’s a look at the paces they’ll be put through before Saturday, then on the floor of the LECOM Harborcenter in downtown Buffalo during the main day of testing. For the most part, we’ll directly share descriptions the league provides of each test.

TESTS OCCURRING BEFORE SATURDAY

Basically, guys stand on one leg and move the elevated leg in three different directions. The Y-Balance is a dynamic test that “incorporates three movement directions (anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral). The goal of this test is to maintain single-leg stance on one leg while reaching as far as possible with the contralateral leg. It has been used to assess physical performance, demonstrate functional symmetry and identify athletes at greater risk for lower extremity injury.”

(Unlike every other test, the league does not make the Y-Balance results public).

Straightforward as it sounds. “The athlete adjusts a hand grip dynamometer to his hand size, fully extends his arm and squeezes the dynamometer as forcefully as possible. The test is conducted on both hands.”

Have your bucket handy! This is the one where guys pull on a silicone facemask, climb on a professional-grade spin bike (watt bike) and start pedalling. It’s a protracted stint on the bike aimed at testing cardiovascular and respiratory capacity.

“Aerobic fitness is assessed by measuring the amount of oxygen utilized (VO2max) during maximal exercise employing volume determination and analysis of expired air. In addition, heart rate is monitored continuously, providing data for heart rate-based training.”

TESTS OCCURRING ON SATURDAY

Horizontal jump (previously named Standing Long Jump)

Remember the old standing broad jump from elementary school? This is basically it.

“The athlete stands with feet slightly apart with toes behind the jumping line. Using an arm swing to assist, the athlete jumps as far as possible. The distance from the jumping line to the heel mark in the best of three trials is recorded to the quarter inch.”

This one is a bit convoluted, but basically the prospects will perform three distinct jump types that are captured by high-speed cameras and a force-plate system that “will be used to objectively measure the direction, strength and timing of the three-dimensional forces that the athlete produces during hockey-related movement. The test will provide immediate feedback allowing teams to assess movement efficiency, physical performance and injury potential.”

A classic where players are asked to hoist 50 per cent of their body weight.

“The athlete lies on his back on the bench and grips the barbell with thumbs approximately shoulder width apart. The buttocks must remain on the bench with the feet on the floor. The starting position is with the arms fully extended. The bar is lowered to the chest, after a slight pause, athlete pushes the bar as quickly as possible until their arms are fully extended. Each athlete will perform three reps at maximum velocity, with a slight pause between each rep at the chest position.”

Players shuffle five yards in one direction, 10 back the other way, then five again to return to their starting point. The test evaluates “multi-directional speed, agility and whole body reaction plus control. This is a timed test utilizing a laser timer.”

Maybe the worst nightmare of non-elite athletes? It’s as simple as it is difficult; hang on the bar and pull yourself up as many times as you can using the proper technique.

The slightly kinder cousin to the VO2max that wraps up the testing. Athletes climb on the professional-grade spin bike, warm up for a bit, then let fly for 30 seconds.

“Revolutions are recorded for each five-second period, then power output is calculated for both the peak five-second period and the 30-second duration.”

The full schedule for testing participants on Saturday is below, with Celebrini scheduled to be part of the third group:

Alek Manoah is scheduled for June 17 surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, a procedure that leaves a massive hole in the Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation this year and for a significant chunk of next season, too.

Ahead of each UFC event in 2024, UFC reporter Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter), producer Dan Fernandes (@DanFernandes__) and writer/editor Mike Johnston (@MikeyJ_MMA) will attempt to beat the odds by perusing various sportsbooks and making four betting predictions: one lock each to combine for a three-leg parlay, plus one additional favourite, underdog and dart throw wager.

The UFC lands in Louisville for the first time since 2011 when middleweight contenders Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov look to make a statement in the packed 185-pound division.

The 14-fight card from the KFC Yum! Center also features a co-main event between 205-pound strikers Dominick Reyes and Dustin Jacoby, plus teenage phenom Raul Rosas Jr. faces his toughest test to date of his pro career when he meets The Ultimate Fighter 29 winner Ricky Turcios in bantamweight action, and Canadian Brad Katona looks to get back in the win column in a featured preliminary bout.

Several fighters scheduled to compete missed weight Friday on their first attempts. Strawweight Denise Gomes, flyweight Montana De La Rosa, bantamweight Brad Katona and Punahele Soriano ahead of his welterweight debut all initially missed by a half pound or less.

Gomes’s opponent, Eduarda Moura, was the only fighter to miss weight and not make weight on a second attempt. She will be fined 20 per cent of her purse and the fight will go on.

Fight card and projected bout order below.

MAIN CARD

— Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov

— Dominick Reyes vs. Dustin Jacoby

— Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Ricky Turcios

— Brunno Ferreira vs. Dustin Stoltzfus

— Julian Marquez vs. Zachary Reece

— Miguel Baeza vs. Punahele Soriano

PRELIMINARY CARD

— Thiago Moisés vs. Ludovit Klein

— Charles Radtke vs. Carlos Prates

— Andrea Lee vs. Montana De La Rosa

— Brad Katona vs. Jesse Butler

— John Castaneda vs. Daniel Marcos

— Eduarda Moura vs. Denise Gomes

— Cody Stamann vs. Taylor Lapilus

— Rayanne dos Santos vs. Puja Tomar

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CAGE LOCKS

Which outcome do we think is the absolute safest bet on the card? Each will pick our “lock” of the week to put together a “three-headed monster parlay.”

Aaron: Lee vs. De La Rosa Starts Round 2 -1150 (FanDuel)

Of their 23 combined fights, only one has not seen the second round and that was De La Rosa’s win over Christina Marks, who was 8-8 at the time, in her lone UFC fight. I am very confident that this fight sees the scorecards, so starting the second round is extremely likely.

Dan: Denise Gomes vs Eduarda Moura over 1.5 rounds -220 (Bodog)

If Gomes can withstand Moura’s striking power, this should go over 1.5 rounds. History tells us that Gomes is more than capable of doing that and perhaps even upsetting the odds here. But at this number, lock this one in and enjoy the fight.

Mike: Rosas Jr. vs. Turcios Starts Round 2 -410 (FanDuel)

I don’t see Rosas getting a quick sub over Turcios, who is not known as a quick finisher himself. Either one of these bantamweights could find a stoppage but if it happens it’s more likely to occur in the second half of the fight.

Three-headed Monster Parlay Odds: -103 (to win $96.66)
2024 Record: 7-11 (current streak: W2)
Total 2024 Winnings on $100 bets: -$383.21

OUR FAVOURITE FAVOURITE

Which favourite with odds shorter than -200 are we most confident in? 

Aaron: Andrea Lee -150 (FanDuel)

This is a rematch that I can see playing out very similarly to the original. De La Rosa has the wrestling advantage and should be able to find some success in that regard, but Lee’s potent striking and volume should offset that for as long as the fight takes place on the feet.

Dan: Daniel Marcos -115 (Betway)

I thought Marcos was cruising to victory in his last bout vs. Aoriqileng until an accidental groin strike (one of three in Round 2) led to a no contest. Marcos had an MMA record of 15-0 prior to that fight and looks fundamentally sound. John Castaneda might struggle to deal with Marcos’ methodical approach and barrage of leg kicks.

Mike: Nassourdine Imavov -125 (Bodog) 

Won’t even mind if Cannonier maintains his spot in the rankings and I stay in the red with my favourite picks because the veteran is so easy to cheer for, however I thought Imavov looked great earlier this year and believe he is entering his prime. His speed and likely willingness to mix up his techniques, opposed to settling into a straight kickboxing match, is why I give the younger, taller fighter the edge in this main event.

Aaron’s favourite record: 12-6
Total 2024 winnings on $100 bets: +$171.62

Dan’s favourite record: 12-6
Total 2024 winnings on $100 bets: +$134.37

Mike’s favourite record: 10-8
Total 2024 winnings on $100 bets: -$157.59

HUNGRIEST DOG

Which underdog on the card are we most confident will get their hand raised in victory?

Aaron: Denise Gomes +140 (DraftKings)

While I think Eduarda Maura is a solid fighter, I will take the younger fighter with the higher quality wins. Gomes has losses to Angela Hill and Loma Lookboonmee, both of whom are similar fighters with well-rounded stand up skills. Gomes is at her best when she faces more well-rounded opponents and is given the opportunity to mix up both her striking and grappling. I like the value that she presents as an underdog against the undefeated Maura.

Dan: Thiago Moises +110 (DraftKings)

I think Thiago Moises vs. Ludovit Klein will be a close fight. I’m leaning Moises here only because you can get him at plus money. Moises has been in the Octagon with the very best in Islam Makhachev and won’t be put off by Klein. After losing to Benoit Saint Denis by KO, Moises bounced back nicely with a KO of his own over newcomer Mitch Ramirez. This one will be fun to watch.

Mike: Ricky Turcios +205 (Caesars)

Was ready to pounce all over Turcios when these two were supposed to fight in Mexico City and while I’m a little less confident heading into this event, the Team Alpha Male member’s awkward style and experience edge could slow the progress of his teenage opponent.

Aaron’s underdog record: 8-10
Total 2024 Winnings on $100 bets: +$135

Dan’s underdog record: 5-13
Total 2024 Winnings on $100 bets: -$670

Mike’s underdog record: 8-10
Total 2024 Winnings on $100 bets: +$17

DART THROW

What’s a longshot play with odds of +500 or longer that we like? 

Aaron: Dustin Stoltzfus by submission +600 (DraftKings)

Ferreira is a force to be reckoned with in the first round. He has big power and aside from two stoppages early in the second round, he has exclusively had first round finishes. While Stoltzfus has been knocked out in the first round by Abus Nurmagomedov, he is typically very durable and if this fight gets out of the first round, I expect him to take advantage of a tiring Ferreira with his grappling and take him into deep waters.

Dan: Charles Radtke by TKO +700 (Fan Duel)

Radtke knocked out Gilbert Urbina in Round 1 the last time out. Radtke and Prates like to throw disguised bombs, so there is a high probability that one of these heavy hitters wins by KO. With +700 odds just sitting there, this is as good a dart throw as any considering Radtke’s favourite weapon is that dangerous left hook.

Mike: Dominick Reyes by decision +550 (DraftKings)

It’s Reyes’s first fight in 19 months and he’s coming off three consecutive knockout losses, while Jacoby has lost three of four. Wouldn’t surprise me of both 205-pounders are a little more tactical and patient than they typically are and I also see Reyes as having more ways to wins, despite his underdog status. A fourth straight KO/TKO loss may spell the end of his UFC tenure so there’s a lot on the line for the two-time title challenger.

Aaron’s dart throw record: 1-15-1
Total 2024 Winnings on $100 bets: -$1,100

Dan’s dart throw record: 1-17
Total 2024 Winnings on $100 bets: -$1,000

Mike’s dart throw record: 4-13-1
Total 2024 Winnings on $100 bets: +$2,000

(Betting odds above submitted at various times throughout week and subject to change prior to fights)

The Blue Jays began deviating from their plans in the middle of May, but on Friday, they made their most jarring roster move yet by designating Cavan Biggio for assignment. Still, the latest manoeuvring didn’t produce a victory against the Athletics.

The Canadian Grand Prix was the one that got away from local hero Jacques Villeneuve.

Although Villeneuve captured the Formula One world championship and claimed 11 grand prix victories, a win at the Montreal circuit named after his late father eluded him during his legendary career.

The 53-year-old from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., is back home this weekend joining the Sky Sports F1 commentary team for the Canadian Grand Prix.

“Not winning in Montreal, it’s not a source of sorrow as much for my family,” Villeneuve told Best Payout Online Slots. “More the fact it was my home race in front of my home crowd. It would have been special to have won it.”

Villeneuve actually came closest during his rookie season. After winning the Indianapolis 500 and CART series championship, Villeneuve made the jump to F1 in 1996 and joined the powerhouse Williams team. Villeneuve had a dazzling debut earning pole position in Australia, scored his first win in Germany and arrived at his homecoming second in the championship behind teammate Damon Hill.

The two were close in qualifying, but Hill edged out Villeneuve for pole by only 0.020 seconds and that proved to be the difference.

“I missed pole by a sniff and that spoiled the race for me,” said Villeneuve, who finished the season runner-up to Hill for the championship. “I went for the opposite strategy to Damon and it all depended on getting a better start than Damon. I didn’t and that was it. It was a close call and I came second.”

Despite winning the title, Williams parted ways with Hill and Villeneuve became their new No. 1 driver for the 1997 season. Thanks to three wins — and three retirements — Villeneuve held a slim three-point advantage over Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher in the standings heading into the Canadian GP.

Once again, Villeneuve lost out on pole position by a hair with Schumacher posting a faster lap by just 0.013 seconds. Although the two drivers were evenly matched and ended up fighting down to the wire for the title, Villeneuve’s day ended early as he crashed out on the second lap while Schumacher took the victory and the championship lead.

“Somehow at the last chicane he went on the curb, put a bit of dirt on the track just when I got there and I went a little sideways,” said Villeneuve, who went on to win the world championship that season. “I wasn’t stressed, my heart rate was low. That was what made it all the more frustrating. I got caught out.

“We were miles quicker. I really wasn’t proud of that one. I beat myself up. Then you have to do the walk of shame! You keep your helmet on for a while longer!”

The Canadian Grand Prix had been held at Mosport Park (now known as Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) in Bowmanville, Ont., and Circuit Mont-Tremblant in Mont-Tremblant, Que., before finding a permanent home in Montreal. Gilles Villeneuve was the inaugural winner on Notre Dame Island in 1978 and the circuit was renamed in his honour four years later following his death during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Although the Canadian Grand Prix is infamous for few overtakes and wet conditions — heavy rain and hail already affected Friday’s practice sessions with more inclement weather in the forecast — Villeneuve believes its worth keeping on the calendar.

“It is a special one,” he said. “It is exciting, it is fun, there’s a great atmosphere and everyone parties. It is the beginning of summer in Quebec. It is almost downtown. It is really cool and a great track for racing.

“It is a magnificent spectacle. When I was racing, I had a lot of friends in IndyCar and if they could go to the Montreal weekend they would just to see how impressive it all was compared with IndyCar.”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is the three-time reigning world champion and has won the past two races in Montreal. He enters this weekend with a 31-point lead in the standings over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who is coming off a win at his home race in Monaco. McLaren’s Lando Norris earned his first career victory last month in Miami and is also closing the gap in third place and 25 points back of Leclerc.

Villeneuve said there isn’t one car that is fit perfectly for the track, but Ferrari might be better suited than their main competitors.

“The one that seems to have the least issues when you mix everything up is the Ferrari,” Villeneuve said. “They are not the best in slow speed and they are not the best in a straight line, but they are good at both.”