Thompson qualifies in 2nd, looking for win at Montreal Grand Prix

Parker Thompson is taking on a new and exciting challenge this weekend, racing at the Montreal Grand Prix.

The Red Deer racing phenom returns to home pavement north of the border, this time with his sights set on glory as the winner of the Xstch F1600 Formula Tour event.

The race is part of a huge weekend in Montreal marking 50 years of Formula 1 racing in Canada. Thompson’s #90 car is decked out in a new red and white colour scheme honouring the milestone. 

Thompson’s involvement in the race is through a one-off deal with Exclusive Autosport. While the race is technically a level lower than where you’d normally see the 19-year-old, which is on the USF2000 circuit, he explains more experienced drivers are known to move down for this race because of the venue.

In front of 100,000 people on Friday, Thompson qualified with the second best lap time for Saturday’s race. The Drive to Stay Alive founder will race again on Sunday.

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Taking the track just before on Saturday and just after on Sunday are some of the biggest names in racing today, namely Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton who are competing in the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada Sunday afternoon.

“I’ve never been to an F1 race. My eyes were completely opened to Formula 1, obviously being a diehard race fan — this has been a pretty phenomenal experience,” Thompson admits, adding this is one the most lavish weekends he’s been a part of.

“It has been such a pleasure working with Exclusive Autosport this year in the USF2000 Championship, so when the opportunity arose to pilot one of their rocketship Spectrum F1600 cars – I couldn’t decline.”

Following the races in Montreal this weekend he’ll head back to the USF2000 circuit for races later this month in Wisconsin.

Thompson currently sits fourth in the USF2000 standings with five racing weekends left.