Formula 1 - Grand Prix of Canada

Montreal, Canada

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Montreal’s Gilles Villeneuve circuit hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix since 1978, replacing the old Mosport Park circuit. Due to financial reasons a brand new racing track was not feasible at the time. The solution was to reconstrict the Ile de Notre Dame island, which previously served to host Montreal’s World Expo Fair, by connecting the islands’ roads and adapting them to F1 standards. After the tragic death of Canadian’s local F1 here, Gilles Villeneuve, the circuit was named after the man that won his first GP race here in the opening year of the circuit.

The beautiful location of the island in the middle of the St. Lawrence river gives the Canadian Grand Prix a pleasant ambience and although the track is not that challenging, it is a favorite venue for many drivers. The circuit resembles the street circuit of Melbourne and in fact public roads do form a part of the track. As the circuit is not frequently used for racing venues and the quality of the track is not optimal, it is know to be hard on the cars. This is also due to the mixture of fast and slow corners. As such, brakes and traction are of key importance in the Canadian race.

The Gilles Villeneuve circuit can be reached easily by subway from downtown Montreal. The vibrant city in Canada’s French-speaking state of Quebec is a dazzling metropolis with plenty of good hotels, restaurants and nightlife opportunities. The city, that derived her name from the “royal mountain” within its city borders, has two international airports. The Grand Prix du Canada provides you with an excellent opportunity to visit this dynamic city that proudly preserves its French-canadian charmes.

Circuit Facts
Rounds	70
Circuit Length	4,361 km
Track Record	R. Barrichello FERRARI 2004
Record Lap Time	01:12,836
Race Distance	305,270 km
Address of Circuit	Gilles Villeneuve circuit, Tour de Controle, Ile Notre Dame. Montreal, Quebec, H3C 1AO CANADA