The Canadian Grand Prix is back - and while last year's race was certainly a spectacle filled with drama, it was nothing compared to the chaos of 2018 when the chequered flag was accidentally waved too early. In 2024, Red Bull's Max Verstappen triumphed in an exhilarating, rain-drenched race following a nail-biting five-car showdown.

The reigning world champion clinched a vital lead as McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri tussled with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in his wake. After the race, Verstappen dubbed the event as 'crazy', while Norris called it 'chaos'. However, this was a well-managed affair compared to the 2018 Canadian Grand Prix, where model Winnie Harlow's premature wave of the chequered flag sparked mayhem on the track and left F1 bosses scrambling for a solution.

With F1 returning to Montreal today (Sunday, June 15), it'll be difficult to recreate the pandemonium that was created seven years prior.

Flag waving has been a tradition for many celebrities over the years, with David Beckham, Serena Williams and Spider-Man actor Tom Holland all having their moment in the spotlight. Yet, no one has made quite the impression that America's Next Top Model alumna, Winnie Harlow did back in May 2018.

The Canadian model carved her name into F1 history at the race, albeit not for reasons she might have liked after she was given the task of concluding the 70-lap race. The then-28-year-old Victoria's Secret model found herself in a colossal communication mishap which led to her waving the chequered flag on lap 69 - one lap earlier than the race was supposed to end.

Her waving of the chequered flag a lap early threw Sebastian Vettel's final lap at the Grand Prix into chaos. This lapse caused the German to urgently contact his crew, demanding they rectify the situation as he tackled the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to properly finish the race.

Finally, Harlow corrected her mistake, signalling the end of the race appropriately as Vettel cruised to victory. F1 chiefs were no doubt on tenterhooks following the blunder, aware that an untimely flag - in line with Sporting Regulation 43.2 - has the power to inadvertently determine the race outcome based on when the flag is shown.

Fortune favoured the quick as the order remained unaltered despite the premature flagging, allowing Harlow and the officials to breathe a sigh of relief. Reflecting on the incident, Vettel revealed his concern post-race: "Some of the marshals were already celebrating. I was just worried that people wouldn't jump on the track and start celebrating. We're still going at full pace."

Following the race, Harlow used Instagram to clarify the mishap to her followers, stating that she had been told to wave the chequered flag a lap prematurely. "WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO WAVE THE FLAG A LAP TOO EARLY! You had one job sir!!! Hahaha but so grateful everyone was safe today and no one got hurt from this," she wrote.

The late Charlie Whiting, who was then FIA race director, later cleared Harlow's name, stating that she had been given the instruction too early and that it was not her error. He explained that the issue arose from a miscommunication with a local Montreal official, who had inquired about whether the race was on its final lap but was mistakenly thought to be making a statement, resulting in the premature signalling of the end of the race.

Ross Brawn, ex-F1 managing director, also stepped in to defend Harlow, stating: "Winnie simply followed the instructions she was given and I want to apologise for the grief she received and thank her for supporting Formula 1."

Although the incident was undoubtedly embarrassing for F1, Harlow was not alone in making flag-waving mistakes. At the 2002 Brazilian Grand Prix, football icon Pele gained attention when he missed waving the flag for Michael Schumacher's finish because he was facing the wrong way.