Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Located in the scenic Parc Jean-Drapeau on Notre-Dame Island in Montreal, Canada, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one of the most iconic and beloved tracks in the world of Formula 1. Originally called Circuit Île Notre-Dame, the venue was built in 1978 and named in honor of Gilles Villeneuve, one of Canada’s greatest racing heroes. The Canadian Grand Prix has been a fixture on the F1 calendar since 1978, with only a few interruptions, making it a race with rich history and tradition.

Since its first race in 1978, the track has become a fan favorite, known for its unique layout, challenging corners, and famous features, such as the Wall of Champions. The circuit has hosted many memorable moments in F1 history, from thrilling victories to dramatic crashes, making it a must-watch event every year.

At a length of 4.361 kilometers, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one of the shorter tracks on the Formula 1 calendar, but it’s packed with challenges. Its layout combines long straights and tight corners, requiring teams to strike a balance between top speed and downforce. The track is known for being a power circuit, where high-speed stability on the straights plays a significant role in car setup.

The track is composed of two long straights creating overtaking opportunities. Furthermore the circuit has a whopping total of three chicanes at various speeds, testing braking and cornering ability of the drivers to the maximum. Lastly, coming out of the final chicane the drivers pass by the most iconic track feature: The Wall of Champions. This wall on the exit of the final corner has punished many drivers over the years for pushing out too wide, including Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve

Though the circuit hasn't undergone significant changes over the years, it remains a tough test for drivers, with its combination of high-speed sections and tricky chicanes, demanding maximum focus and precision.

One of the most famous features of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is the Wall of Champions, located at the end of the final chicane. The wall gained its legendary status during the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix when Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve all crashed there within a span of 20 laps. Since then, many drivers have fallen victim to the wall, including Jenson Button in 2005 and Sebastian Vettel in 2011, cementing its place in Formula 1 lore.

The Canadian Grand Prix has produced some of the most exciting and dramatic races in Formula 1 history. In 1991 Mansell seemed to have the win in his bag, however, after waving to the crowd he let his revs drop so low his Williams stopped on track. This cost the Brit the race win. Jean Alesi won one race in his entire career, he did so in 1995 on his 31st birthday after Schumacher had technical problems whilst leading the race. 2007 marked the beginning of a new era in the sport: Lewis Hamilton took his maiden win around the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve and has since done so on six more occasions. 

The Canadian Grand Prix in 2011 is often considered one of the best races in F1 history. After a long safety car period and a rain delay, Jenson Button staged an incredible comeback. He recovered from the back of the grid and passed Sebastian Vettel in the final lap to take a stunning victory. 

A last iconic moment around the Canadian Formula 1 track came about in 2019. Vettel had led the majority of the race, keeping Hamilton at bay. One front tire lock-up saw the German take it to the grass in turn 3, as he had little grip coming back onto the road his Ferrari washed out wide. Hamilton almost ran into the back of him as he chose the outside line. This would result in a five second penalty for Sebastian Vettel who crossed the line in first but with the penalty applied would set him back to second. After the finish, the four-time world champion parked his car next to Lewis’ but swapped the P1 and P2 signs around as he did not agree with his penalty.

Circuit de Gilles-Villeneuve is Hamilton’s favourite track, and it shows in his results around the venue. The Brit is tied with Michael Schumacher for most victories in Montreal, both clinching first place seven times. In his debut season in 2007, Hamilton won his first ever race at this venue and he has since been on the podium a further nine times. With an average finishing position of 2.08, this track always delivers strong results for Lewis Hamilton.