Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is one of the most popular circuits on the race calendar, so we’re taking a look at its varied history.
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Circuit Stats
| Track Length | 4.361 km |
| Number of Laps | 70 |
| Race Lap Record | 1:13.078 (Valtteri Bottas – 2019) |
| Qualifying Lap Record | 1:10.240 (Sebastian Vettel – 2019) |
| First Grand Prix | 1978 |
| First Race Winner | Gilles Villeneuve |
| 2023 Race Winner | Max Verstappen |
Circuit History
In the middle of the St Lawrence River sits the man-made Notre-Dame Island. It was originally created for the purpose of hosting the 1967 Expo World’s Fair, and later hosted the Olympics. It would be just over another decade before Formula 1 finally added the venue to the race calendar.
In the modern era, Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is well-loved for its smooth surface, and impeccable track conditions. It’s generally popular amongst the drivers. The high-speed straights, hairpins and twisting sections providing a challenging combination to test their skills.
Whilst the expo vacated the site in 1968, it remained open to the public as a collection of pavilions. Attendance slowly declined, and the condition of the site deteriorated, causing extensive sections to be closed off to public access. In a bid to boost the island’s fortunes, a rowing strip was created for the 1976 Olympics. Roads were also built to connect various points on the island.
It would only be a short period of time after the Olympics had finished before a new venture would land on the island. Canadian motorsport needed a new venue. The Canadian Grand Prix had been on the hunt for a permanent home during the 1960’s and 1970’s. The island was prepared at a rapid pace, with a design by Roger Peart taking shape. The Circuit Île Notre-Dame was ready to welcome Canada’s premier race.
The 1978 Canadian Grand Prix had a capacity crowd, with spectators including Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. It would be local hero Gilles Villeneuve who would ultimately take the chequered flag. The circuit was renamed in 1982 to Circuit Gilles-Villenueve in his honour, and has remained the same ever since.
Significant Changes
Circuit Gilles-Villenueve has seen several significant layout changes over the decades. A brief hiatus from the race calendar in 1987 allowed for new pit facilities to be built further along the track. This resulted in the hairpin corners to be “smoothed” so that a longer pit straight could be installed.
Later changes included the chicane located before the pits to be slowed. There were also substantial changes on the back straight, with the sweepers removed entirely. Further changes were made to the final chicane, now usually referred to as “Champions Corner.” A mistake here will see you coming face-to-face with possibly the most iconic part of the entire circuit – the “Wall of Champions”. This unforgiving wall earned its moniker largely thanks to the 1999 race, which saw Damon Hill, Jaques Villenueve and Michael Schumacher all crash into the unyielding barrier.
2002 also had its share of substantial changes, with the pit lane exit going into Turn 1. This corner itself had been subject to an extension of its runoff area. The hairpin at Turn 10 was also taken further back towards the Turn 8 & 9 chicane. This meant that tarmac could be used instead of gravel for the runoff area. “Champions Corner” also moved further back, and a rubber-belted tyre wall was added for extra safety.
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Instant Recognition
There are several iconic sections of Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve that are instantly recognisable.
The complex at Turns 1 & 2 represents an “S” when viewed from above, and has become known as the “Senna S”. The Pont de la Concorde corner (Turn 8) throws in a sudden kink to Turn 9, before sweeping into the Hairpin Curve at Turn 10. The hairpin itself can provide ample overtaking opportunities on the apex or on the exit. But, drivers be warned – brake too late and you will find yourself running off the track.
Turns 12 & 13 remains one of the best passing zones of the circuit, with the long straight having witnessed countless duels over the years. Turn 14 is home to the fearsome “Wall of Champions”. Sustain damage here, and it’s usually enough to bring out the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) or full Safety Car. In a rather poignant fashion, the wall is marked with Tourisme Québec’s advertising during the Formula 1 weekend. The advertisement reads “Bonjour Québec”, with “Bienvenue au Québec” used in previous years.
Hometown Hero
The 1978 Canadian Grand Prix saw hometown hero Gilles Villeneuve claim his first Formula 1 victory. He would go on to win 6 Grand Prix during his short career. Villeneuve finished 2nd in the 1979 World Championship, just 4 points shy of teammate Jody Sheckter.
Villeneuve signed with McLaren in 1977,. However, his contract was not renewed for the following season, and he was taken on by (then) reigning world champions Ferrari. He would drive for the Italian team from 1978, until his untimely death in 1982.
On 8th May 1982, during the closing stages of the qualifying session for the Belgian Grand Prix, Villenueve collided with the rear of Jochen Mass. Villeneuve’s Ferrari was launched into the air at a speed estimated to be between 200 km/h (120 mph) and 225 km/h (140 mph). The car travelled over 100 metres (330 ft) through the air before it nose-dived into the tarmac. The Ferrari broke apart as it somersaulted down the track. Villeneuve was thrown 50 meters (160 ft) from the wreckage and into the catch fencing. He was still strapped to his seat when this happened, but without his helmet.
The horrific accident saw several drivers stop and rush to the scene. It was John Watson and Derek Warwick who pulled Villeneuve from the catch fence. A doctor arrived on scene just 35 seconds later, who intubated and ventilated Villenueve before he was taken by helicopter to hospital. Medical staff at the hospital diagnosed that Villeneuve had suffered a fatal neck fracture.
The Legend Lives On
The Canadian circuit renamed itself to Circuit Gilles-Villenueve in his honour, and “Salut Gilles” was painted at the start/finish line. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari named a corner after him, with a Canadian flag painted on the third grid slot (the position from which Gilles started his last Grand Prix). A bronze statue can also be found at Ferrari’s test track in Fiorano.
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Iconic Moment
With the rain already pouring down at the start of the race, the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix got underway on full wets and behind the safety car.
Just 5 laps later, the green flags flew and the inevitable battles for position began. There was drama for Hamilton on Lap 8, when contact was made with teammate Jenson Button. This resulted in Hamilton going into the wall and ending his race. The safety car returned to the track, with Jenson making a brave switch from full wets to intermediates. However, he picked up a penalty for speeding behind the safety car, sending the plucky Brit back to 15th position. Just when things couldn’t seem to get any worse for Button, the heavens opened once more.
Those who had switched to intermediates were forced to stop again to switch back to full wets. Lap 25 brought out the red flag, as conditions became too treacherous to race in.
And so began the longest wait in Grand Prix history…
Just over 2 hours later, the race finally resumed behind the safety car. The train of drivers would follow Bernd Mayländer for another 8 laps. When the safety car period ended, the pack was free to race. Button went straight back into the pits to switch back onto intermediates. However, it was only 1 lap before Bernd was called to action again after Alonso collided with Button at the Turn 3/4 chicane. Alonso was beached on the kerb and Button had to limp back to the pits with a puncture to his front left tyre.
By Lap 50, Button had fought his way into the points-paying positions. Lap 51 saw his 6th trip through the pit lane, switching his intermediates for slick super softs. On Lap 56 the safety car came out yet again and bunched the pack up.
The race restarted with Button in 4th, and by Lap 64, Button had breezed into 2nd place. On the final lap, Vettel went wide at Turn 6. Button snapped up the lead, causing the McLaren garage to go wild. Jenson stormed over the finish line and claimed a well-earned victory in what ended up being a record-breaking Grand Prix.
What’s your iconic Canadian Grand Prix moment? Let us know in the comments!