The Heart of Canadian Motorsport: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and Its Grand Prix Legacy

Montreal is home to the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Since it first took place in 1961, the Canadian Grand Prix has a long and storied history in the Formula One world. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, which is named after an enigmatic figure in racing, is known for its magnificent June races. With a few notable exceptions like 1975, 1987, and 2009, the Canadian Grand Prix has been a mainstay of the Formula One World Championship schedule since 1967. This esteemed event has grown in popularity over the years.

As a showcase of Canada's love of high-speed racing and commitment to setting up world-class sporting events, the race's history is intricately linked to the country's motorsport history. After the coronavirus epidemic forced the race's removal from the schedule for two years, it made a triumphant return in 2022.

With the permanent relocation of the Canadian Grand Prix to the island of Notre Dame in the heart of the St. Lawrence River in 1978, the site quickly became an integral part of the Formula One schedule. The famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, situated on an artificial island built for Expo 67 close to Montreal, is the nerve center of the Canadian Grand Prix. The fast-paced nature and tight bends, featuring one of the toughest chicanes on the F1 track, have made this one of the favorites among Formula 1 drivers. The circuit's unique design showed drivers' competencies, precision, and nerves as they made their way around its curves. Drivers and spectators alike have been treated to exciting racing moments and nail-biting action at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, despite the track's technical issues other times.

Although there are other notable corners here, such as the Senna 'S', the Droit du Casino, and the Hairpin Curve at Turn 10, which provides enough opportunities for overtaking, the Wall of Champions at Turn 14 is arguably the most famous. As a result of the 1999 race crash involving Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, and Jacques Villeneuve—all of whom had previously won the Drivers' Championship—the wall was named after them. Drivers must remain fully focused on the circuit at all times due to the wall and the poor levels of grip caused by the track's infrequent use throughout the year. They risk having their race cut short if they don't.

The pits used to be at the northern end of the circuit, just after the hairpin, with makeshift shelters that left the teams out in the weather. A circuit renovation and new pit facilities were constructed further around the lap during a 1987 hiatus in operations caused by a dispute between sponsors Labatt's and Molson. The corners before the Island hairpin were smoothed out to create a longer pit straight. The track had been adjusted for 1979 to address early concerns and was generally well-received by the drivers. 

Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are the only drivers in Formula One history to win seven World Championships; they are also the most successful drivers in Canadian Grand Prix history. Both drivers have won seven races here, with Hamilton's 2007 debut win also being his maiden Formula One race victory. In terms of constructors, Ferrari has more wins than any other constructor at this circuit with fourteen victories. Three of these victories, however, occurred before 1978, when the event moved to other circuits. Coming in second with 13 Grand Prix victories, but four of those came at tracks other than Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, is McLaren.

The Canadian Grand Prix is set to be on June 7-9, so be sure to tune in!