Creation date: 1978
Circuit : Gilles Villeneuve Circuit
First F1 GP: 30 Oct. 1978
Grand Prix held: 29
Spectactor capacity: around 100000
Organiser:
ASN Canada FIA
Press officer
Eric Schifi
Tel: (+1) (514) 396-4646
Fax: (+1) (514) 350-4718
Informations:
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Parc Jean Drapeau
Montréal (Quebec)
HC3 1A9
Canada
Tel: (+1) 514 350 4731
Fax: (+1) 514 350 0007
Official Website : http://www.grandprix.ca
Corners
- Vir. Senna
- Concorde
- Epingle
- Casino
Track length: 4.361 kmNumber of laps: 70 (305.270 Km)
Number of corners: 12 (left:5) (right:7)
Top speed: 348 Km/h
Start line offset: 0 m
Downforce setup: low
2007 race weather: dry
Best lap:
R. Barrichello - 1'13''622 (2004, Ferrari) 
Record Pole: R. Schumacher - 1'12''275 (2004, Williams)Pole 2007:
L. Hamilton - 1'15''707 (McLaren)Podium 2007:
L. Hamilton N. Heidfeld A. WurzCircuit Info:
By 1978 Canada had two things to cheer in Formula One, one was the fact that the Wolf team wore the maple leaf, the other was the fact that Gilles Villeneuve was clearly something very special. There were severe concerns over the safety of the Mosport Park circuit, but it was unthinkable that there would not be a Canadian GP.
In a very short time, a circuit was constructed on a man-made island which had been used in the 1967 Expo. Originally named the Ile Notre Dame circuit, the location is one of the loveliest in Formula One since the narrow track threads its way through lakes and parkland. It is a narrow, medium-fast, 2.75-mile circuit with 13 corners which has changed only in detail from its inception. Some corners were eased for 1979, a new corner before the pits was added in 1991 and a chicane was added in 1994.
It has been a permanent feature on the calendar since 1978, except for 1987 when there was sponsorship dispute between Canada's to largest breweries.
After Gilles Villeneuve was killed in 1982, the circuit was named in his memory.
The Canadian Grand Prix was moved to Montreal in 1978, as Mosport Park was thought to be outdated and too dangerous. It was built around the site of Expo 67, and it is a mixture of street circuit and permanent road course. Downtown Montreal is only a stone's throw away.
One look at the circuit is enough to tell the story. This track breaks many a car. The first chicane catches out even the best of driver. The first race held on this circuit showed a maiden victory for the local hero, Gilles Villeneuve. In 1982, the track was renamed in his memory but saw tragedy when Riccardo Paletti was involved in a first lap accident, running into the back of Didier Pironi's stalled Ferrari, an accident that claimed Paletti's life.
The strangest finish ever remembered at Montreal was when Nigel Mansell was leading, and celebrated a little too soon. He coasted to a halt and stalled the Williams, allowing a very surprised Nelson Piquet to record his last victory for Benetton.
Michael Schumacher raced to victory in 1997 when the race was shortened because Olivier Panis crashed his Prost, breaking his leg. In 1998 Schumacher won the race that was referred to by many as a Formula One demolition derby as there was drama from the opening lap.
The race was red flagged after Ralf Schumacher stalled his Jordan on the grid, causing confusion, then as the cars came into the opening chicane, Alex Wurz's Benetton, cut across the grass, jumping over Jean Alesi, before rolling twice.
1999 saw no less three world champions come unstuck when the all lost control at the final turn - thereafter often referred to as the 'wall of champions'. Damon Hill, in his last Canadian race before retirement, Jacques Villeneuve for BAR and Ferrari driver Schumacher. Mika Hakkinen went on to win the event but Schumacher led home a Ferrari one-two in 2000.
The 2001 event saw rain begin to fall about two-thirds of the way in and Giancarlo Fisichella benefited by making his one and only stop at the perfect time. While the other drivers were forced to make a second stop due to the rain, Fisichella put wets on in his one and only pit to finish the race on the podium and continue his good form in Canada. Ralf Schumacher won the event followed home by brother Michael who took the win the following year with David Coulthard in second place.
In 2003, Michael Schumacher claimed his 68th victory in Montreal after snatching the lead from brother Ralf after his first and faster pit stop. Ralf finished in second place ahead of his Williams team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya.
2004 was another all-Ferrari affair with Schumacher taking the win from team-mate Barrichello by five seconds with Jenson Button third for BAR Honda. BMW Williams suffered a double race disqualification as did the Toyota outfit after it was found that both teams ran illegal brake ducts in the 70-lap event.
Renault's unlucky Montreal streak continued in 2005 when running first and second. Giancarlo Fisichella hit mechanical problems only for Fernando Alonso to brush the wall damaging the Renault's suspension. This handed the race lead to Juan Pablo Montoya who then promptly drove out of the pits under safety car conditions as the red light was being displayed. The black flag was shown to the Colombian and Kimi Raikkonen took the honours in the sister McLaren.
While 2005 was unpredictable, 2006 was a fairly straight-forward affair as Alonso dominated the race from Pole Position, taking the win from Schumacher who pressured Raikkonen into an uncharacteristic error on the penultimate lap.
The 2007 event saw no less than four safety car periods, two black flags, other problems for many in the 70-lap race and Lewis Hamilton had no issues leading away from the Pole Position to secure his first Grand Prix win on what was just his sixth Formula One race start. In a topsy-turvy event Nick Heidfeld finished second for BMW Sauber with Alex Wurz scoring his final podium of his race career in the Williams Toyota… from 19th on the grid.
The race will be remembered for Robert Kubica's massive accident in which the BMW Sauber racer was fortunate to escape largely unscathed. Championship protagonist Felipe Massa was disqualified after leaving the pit lane with the red light clearly illuminated while Fernando Alonso spent much of the race exploring the limit of grip and finished seventh.
In a very short time, a circuit was constructed on a man-made island which had been used in the 1967 Expo. Originally named the Ile Notre Dame circuit, the location is one of the loveliest in Formula One since the narrow track threads its way through lakes and parkland. It is a narrow, medium-fast, 2.75-mile circuit with 13 corners which has changed only in detail from its inception. Some corners were eased for 1979, a new corner before the pits was added in 1991 and a chicane was added in 1994.It has been a permanent feature on the calendar since 1978, except for 1987 when there was sponsorship dispute between Canada's to largest breweries.
After Gilles Villeneuve was killed in 1982, the circuit was named in his memory.
The Canadian Grand Prix was moved to Montreal in 1978, as Mosport Park was thought to be outdated and too dangerous. It was built around the site of Expo 67, and it is a mixture of street circuit and permanent road course. Downtown Montreal is only a stone's throw away.
One look at the circuit is enough to tell the story. This track breaks many a car. The first chicane catches out even the best of driver. The first race held on this circuit showed a maiden victory for the local hero, Gilles Villeneuve. In 1982, the track was renamed in his memory but saw tragedy when Riccardo Paletti was involved in a first lap accident, running into the back of Didier Pironi's stalled Ferrari, an accident that claimed Paletti's life.
The strangest finish ever remembered at Montreal was when Nigel Mansell was leading, and celebrated a little too soon. He coasted to a halt and stalled the Williams, allowing a very surprised Nelson Piquet to record his last victory for Benetton.Michael Schumacher raced to victory in 1997 when the race was shortened because Olivier Panis crashed his Prost, breaking his leg. In 1998 Schumacher won the race that was referred to by many as a Formula One demolition derby as there was drama from the opening lap.
The race was red flagged after Ralf Schumacher stalled his Jordan on the grid, causing confusion, then as the cars came into the opening chicane, Alex Wurz's Benetton, cut across the grass, jumping over Jean Alesi, before rolling twice.
1999 saw no less three world champions come unstuck when the all lost control at the final turn - thereafter often referred to as the 'wall of champions'. Damon Hill, in his last Canadian race before retirement, Jacques Villeneuve for BAR and Ferrari driver Schumacher. Mika Hakkinen went on to win the event but Schumacher led home a Ferrari one-two in 2000.
The 2001 event saw rain begin to fall about two-thirds of the way in and Giancarlo Fisichella benefited by making his one and only stop at the perfect time. While the other drivers were forced to make a second stop due to the rain, Fisichella put wets on in his one and only pit to finish the race on the podium and continue his good form in Canada. Ralf Schumacher won the event followed home by brother Michael who took the win the following year with David Coulthard in second place.
In 2003, Michael Schumacher claimed his 68th victory in Montreal after snatching the lead from brother Ralf after his first and faster pit stop. Ralf finished in second place ahead of his Williams team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya.
2004 was another all-Ferrari affair with Schumacher taking the win from team-mate Barrichello by five seconds with Jenson Button third for BAR Honda. BMW Williams suffered a double race disqualification as did the Toyota outfit after it was found that both teams ran illegal brake ducts in the 70-lap event.
Renault's unlucky Montreal streak continued in 2005 when running first and second. Giancarlo Fisichella hit mechanical problems only for Fernando Alonso to brush the wall damaging the Renault's suspension. This handed the race lead to Juan Pablo Montoya who then promptly drove out of the pits under safety car conditions as the red light was being displayed. The black flag was shown to the Colombian and Kimi Raikkonen took the honours in the sister McLaren.
While 2005 was unpredictable, 2006 was a fairly straight-forward affair as Alonso dominated the race from Pole Position, taking the win from Schumacher who pressured Raikkonen into an uncharacteristic error on the penultimate lap.
The 2007 event saw no less than four safety car periods, two black flags, other problems for many in the 70-lap race and Lewis Hamilton had no issues leading away from the Pole Position to secure his first Grand Prix win on what was just his sixth Formula One race start. In a topsy-turvy event Nick Heidfeld finished second for BMW Sauber with Alex Wurz scoring his final podium of his race career in the Williams Toyota… from 19th on the grid.
The race will be remembered for Robert Kubica's massive accident in which the BMW Sauber racer was fortunate to escape largely unscathed. Championship protagonist Felipe Massa was disqualified after leaving the pit lane with the red light clearly illuminated while Fernando Alonso spent much of the race exploring the limit of grip and finished seventh.
PAST CHAMPION OF THE TRACK
2007
L.Hamilton (McLaren)2006
F.Alonso (Renault)2005
K.Raikkonen (McLaren)2004
M. Schumacher (Ferrari)2003
M. Schumacher (Ferrari)2002
M. Schumacher (Ferrari)2001
R. Schumacher (Williams)2000
M. Schumacher (Ferrari)1999
M. Hakkinen (McLaren)1998
M. Schumacher (Ferrari)1997
M. Schumacher (Ferrari)1996
D. Hill (Williams)1995
J. Alesi (Ferrari)1994
M. Schumacher (Benetton)1993
A. Prost (Williams)1992
G. Berger (McLaren)1991
N. Piquet (Benetton)1990
A. Senna (McLaren)1989
T. Boutsen (Williams)1988
A. Senna (McLaren)
Qualifying
Race Day
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