Circuit Gilles Villeneuve track analysis: key challenges for drivers in Montreal

Formula 1 returns to Canada at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit. The track is located near Montreal on an artificial island created for Expo 67. The final result is a 4.361 km circuit with 14 corners. The race distance is 305.27 km to be covered over 70 laps. There are three DRS zones, located on the start-finish straight, between turns 7 and 8, and between turns 11 and 13. The latter also includes the speed trap, as it is the longest DRS zone on the track. Now, let’s analyze the key technical aspects that are needed at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal for cars and drivers to perform well.

Sector 1
The lap begins on the shortest straight of the track and immediately leads into a slight right-hand curve. In turn 1, a sharp left bend, drivers will also encounter the first heavy braking point of the track. According to data provided by Brembo, the cars will experience a maximum deceleration of 4.8 G with a pedal load of 147 kg. After passing the second corner, a right-hook where mechanical traction is crucial, there is a short straight that guides the drivers into a series of rather fast corners. The first challenge for the drivers comes at turn 4, where they push to the limit of the barriers to use the entire track and gain more speed on exit.

Sector 2
The second sector of the Canadian track begins with a strong braking point that generates 4.7 G of deceleration and is followed by a left-right sequence that could induce oversteer. Here, mechanical grip and traction are crucial to avoid unintentional sliding of the car. After these two corners, drivers approach the second straight where the activation of the DRS is allowed, which could be useful for completing an overtaking maneuver before braking for turn 8. In this last bend, drivers apply 147 kg of braking force and approach the fast right-left sequence.

Here as well, drivers will try to utilize every millimeter of the track, slightly cutting the chicane to develop as much speed as possible on the following straight.

Third sector
The final section of the track opens just before the hairpin at turn ten. Here, drivers approach with a considerably high speed, around 290 km/h, and navigate the hairpin at approximately 74 km/h. To do so, according to Brembo data, they will experience braking with around 4.7 G of deceleration, making it the third most demanding braking point on the track. After exiting the hairpin, the longest straight unfolds, where speeds exceeding 300 km/h can be reached, thanks to the assistance of the DRS.

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Traction is crucial to exit the hairpin as early as possible and a stable car during braking for turn 13. In fact, turn 13 represents the toughest braking point for Brembo systems, with 4.9 G of deceleration. Additionally, it is essential to approach this corner well in order to exit turn 14 correctly. This is where the Wall of Champions is located, where the strongest drivers come close to touching it, gaining a significant advantage to complete the lap faster. Otherwise, the impact will be quite violent, especially for the transmission.

For the Canadian track, the Italian manufacturer has chosen to bring the three softest compounds in their range, considering the low lateral stress they will be subjected to. The drivers will have the option to choose between the C3, C4, and C5 tires, with the softest compound likely to be used exclusively for the qualifying session on Saturday.

The choice of softer tires for the 2023 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix is also driven by the low grip and abrasiveness of the road surface. The track has undergone significant evolution, which will help improve the performance of the various cars.