F1 in Montreal: The Grand Prix Kicks Off in Style on Crescent Street

The countdown is over. Engines are roaring, the crowd is going wild, and Crescent Street has officially reclaimed its title as the epicenter of the Canadian Grand Prix.

For this 25th anniversary edition, the Crescent Street Festival kicked off with a bang as soon as the gates opened at 11 a.m. this Saturday morning, promising an unforgettable weekend blending sports, music, and adrenaline.

The action is underway! We see Jean Pascal hard at work, kneeling in front of the Liquid I.V. single-seater, air gun in hand, trying to remove the tire as quickly as possible.

Marc-Antoine Dequoy, dressed in white, supervises and cheers on his teammate, while a large crowd surrounds the scene.

The boxer and the football receiver together at a pit stop—the intensity is palpable!

Hockey players Anthony Beauvillier and Simon Benoit are working together on the single-seater’s wheel, completely focused.

You can feel the pressure of the clock and the competitive spirit; even for NHL players accustomed to high-intensity situations, the pit stop has its own challenges! Simon Benoit is also sporting his signature red bracelet.

After the competition, the whole team poses proudly in front of the single-seater on the Liquid I.V. checkered flag.

The participating athletes include: Jean Pascal, Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Felix Dolci, William Dandjinou, Audrey Leduc, Anthony Beauvillier, and Simon Benoit—an impressive lineup representing boxing, soccer, judo, track and field, and hockey, all gathered for a festive and memorable moment that officially kicked off the Grand Prix weekend on Crescent Street!

Judo athlete Felix Dolci, proudly holding what appears to be a trophy or a cup, poses alongside hockey player Anthony Beauvillier—wearing a Porsche jacket—and Simon Benoit. The three athletes seem to be in good spirits after the Pit Stop Challenge festivities, showcasing a wonderful sense of camaraderie among champions from different sports!

It’s the official kickoff of the Crescent Street Festival for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix! The main stage is already in full swing as soon as the festival opens to the public at 11 a.m., with performers and technicians on stage in front of a large LED screen.

Sponsor logos are prominently displayed (including Celsius).

A group of people wearing black uniforms (probably staff or a team) are chatting together in an aisle. In the background, you can see booths, checkered flags (typical of the racing world), and a RACE sign.

A view of Crescent Street, which has been transformed into a pedestrian zone for the event. You can see sponsor booths, including a prominent Barilla display. The street is bustling with visitors strolling about. In the background, you can spot the famous Leonard Cohen mural on a building, confirming that we are indeed in Montreal, under a beautiful blue sky.

A real single-seater race car in Liquid I.V. colors (blue and yellow-green) is on display on stage for the Pit Stop Challenge, one of the festival’s main attractions mentioned in the description. The dashboard in the background displays a stopwatch set to zero and a leaderboard with teams that have already signed up (Felix & Shahin, William & Audrey, Anthony & Simon...). Visitors can then compete in a simulated pit stop, one of the festival’s most interactive experiences!

An Aston Martin F1 driver's helmet is on display under a glass case, surrounded by the logos of the sponsor, Celsius. The logos of the team's partners are also visible: Aramco, Valvoline, Maaden, Cognizant, and Krown. This is likely a collector's item on display or up for grabs during the festival—exactly the kind of unique experience this event promises for racing enthusiasts!

A young man is hanging from a bar and doing pull-ups as part of the Celsius Live Fit campaign—a well-conceived initiative for the brand that promotes an active lifestyle! Surrounded by posters for their new Electric Vibe collection, he’s showing off his strength to passersby.

Three smiling ambassadors from New Era Sports & Entertainment pose proudly in front of a Renn Trans truck and a turquoise-and-checkered race car. Dressed in their iconic gold T-shirts featuring fleur-de-lis designs and matching black shorts, they perfectly embody the festive and energetic atmosphere of Grand Prix weekend on Crescent Street. The fleur-de-lis on their outfits proudly highlights the event’s Quebec roots!