Canadian Grand Prix Facts
| Circuit Name | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve |
| First race | 1978 |
| Track Length | 4.361km (14 turns) |
| Race Distance | 70 laps (305.27 km) |
| Lap Record | 1:13.078, Valtteri Bottas, (Mercedes, 2019) |
| 2023 Result | 1st Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:33:58.348 |
| 2nd Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +9.570s | |
| 3rd Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +14.168s |
Canada’s association with Formula 1 dates back to 1967, marking the inception of its prestigious journey within the World Championship. Initially, races unfolded at Mosport Park in Ontario (8 races) and Circuit Mont-Tremblant (2 races) over the first decade. However, safety apprehensions prompted a relocation in 1978 to its present abode – a meticulously crafted island nestled in the St. Lawrence River in Montreal.
Originally christened the Île Notre-Dame Circuit, paying homage to its island perch, the track underwent a poignant rechristening in 1982 following the tragic demise of local luminary Gilles Villeneuve. Villeneuve, in a Ferrari, clinched victory in the inaugural 1978 race, etching his name into the annals of history. The island, host to the 1967 World Expo, boasts the iconic Biosphere dome, now a bastion of environmental consciousness. Moreover, Île Notre-Dame played host to rowing and canoeing events during the 1976 Montreal Olympics, further embedding its significance. Together with its neighboring St. Helen’s Island, it forms Parc Jean Drapeau, a recreational haven cherished by locals year-round.
From its 1978 debut until 2019, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve graced the F1 calendar with rare absence, save for 1987 and 2009 due to contractual tussles, yielding its spot to Abu Dhabi. However, in March 2017, organizers inked a new deal with the Formula 1 Group, extending the race’s tenure until at least 2029.
The specter of the COVID-19 pandemic cast a shadow over the Canadian Grand Prix, leading to its cancellation in 2020. Although slated for a return in 2021, travel constraints dashed those hopes for a second consecutive year. Yet, in 2022, the race roared back to life, drawing a throng of 338,000 fervent fans to the circuit. This number swelled by an additional 7,000 in 2023, reaffirming the event’s enduring appeal. Despite the hiatus forced by the pandemic, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve reaffirmed its commitment in April 2021, extending its contract to host the Canadian Grand Prix through 2031.
Interesting stats about the Canadian Grand Prix:
– Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the joint record for the most wins at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The German champion triumphed seven times between 1994 and 2004, while Hamilton matched his feat by clinching victory in the 2019 race.
– Tragically, Riccardo Paletti lost his life in only his second Formula 1 race during the start of the 1982 Canadian Grand Prix. He collided with the stalled Ferrari of pole-sitter Didier Peroni. Paletti’s passing, occurring just five weeks after Gilles Villeneuve’s fatal accident during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, marked the last death during an F1 race until Ayrton Senna’s tragic crash at Imola in 1994.
– Jacques Villeneuve, the sole Canadian Formula 1 World Champion in 1997, never managed to secure victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, despite the circuit being named after his father, Gilles Villeneuve. His closest brush with triumph came in 1996 when he finished second on his debut.
– The 2001 Canadian Grand Prix etched itself into history as the first occasion where two brothers clinched the top spots in an F1 race. Ralf Schumacher claimed the victory, with elder brother Michael trailing him to the finish line.
Circuits
| # | Circuit | Races | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mosport | 8 | 1967, 1969, 1971-74, 1976-77 |
| 2 | Mont-Tremblant | 2 | 1968, 1970 |
| 3 | Montreal | 42 | 1978-86, 1988-2008, 2010-19, 2022-23 |
Wins by grid position
Here are the grid positions of every race winner at the Canadian Grand Prix and the number of victories per position.
| Grid position | Wins |
|---|---|
| Pole | 25 |
| 2nd | 9 |
| 3rd | 4 |
| 4th | 2 |
| 5th | 2 |
| 6th | 4 |
| 7th | 3 |
| 8th | 1 |
| 9th | 1 |
| 10th | 1 |
Maiden wins
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