The Canadian Formula One Grand Prix takes place on Notre Dame Island in Montreal, Quebec, with the circuit set against the scenic backdrop of the Saint Lawrence river. Read on to learn more about this iconic circuit.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve: A Mainstay in the Formula One Calendar
The Canadian Grand Prix first took place at the Montreal circuit in 1978, with hometown hero Gilles Villeneuve winning for Ferrari. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was originally called the Île Notre-Dame Circuit until 1982 after Gilles Villeneuve died earlier that year.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has some thrilling high-speed straights, challenging technical corners, making for exciting racing for both drivers and fans.
Here's an in-depth look at this magnificant circuit:
Track Details
Length and Configuration
Length: 4.361 kilometers (2.710 miles)
Turns: 14 corners
Race Day Lap Record: 1:13.078 by Valterri Bottas for Mercedes (2019)
Corners and Key Sections
1. Turn 1 (Senna S): A left-hander which often has racing incidents. This turn is after the start/finish straight where speeds peak at over 300 km/h before drivers shift down to third gear to take the Senna S turns (turns 1 and 2) at approximately 120 km/h.
2. Turn 2 (Virage Senna / Senna S): A right-hander forming part of the Senna S turns.
3. and 4. Turns 3 and 4 Chicane: A sequence of left-right turns that require precise car control.
5. Turn 5: A right-leaning straight away.
6. Turn 6: A tight left turn of another chicane into turn 7.
7. and 8. Turns 7 and 8 (Pont de la Concorde): A right-hander leading into long straight culminating in a fast right-hander over a bridge.
9. Turn 9: A left-hander leading to the Hairpin Curve.
10. Turn 10 (Hairpin Curve): One of the most famous corners on the circuit. It’s a tight 180 degree hairpin with opportunities for overtaking or spinning off the track!
11. Turn 11: Leading out of the hairpin.
12. Turn 12: Drivers accelerate through this straight away to over 320 km/h before braking for the Wall of Champions chicane.
13. and 14. Turn 13 and 14 (Wall of Champions): The tricky final chicane where many champions have met their demise due to its close proximity to the wall, including Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve (son of Gilles Villeneuve) and Michael Schumacher during the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix.
DRS Detection Zones
The Montreal Formula One Grand Prix features two DRS zones at Pont de la Concorde and from turn 12 to the start/finish line.
Track Sectors
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is divided into three sectors:
Sector 1: From the start/finish line through to turn 6.
Sector 2: From Pont de la Concorde to the Hairpin Curve.
Sector 3: From the Hairpin Curve back to the finish line.
Speed and Overtaking Opportunities
The tight chicanes and walls of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve make it an unforgiving stop-start circuit, with race tempo changing from exhilaratingly fast to slow and precise through the corners. But this together with the long straights gives plenty of overtaking opportunities throughout the track.
Attending the Montreal Canadian Formula One Grand Prix?
Best Vantage Points
The Montreal Canadian Formula One Grand Prix circuit is one that almost guarantees great viewing no matter where you sit. However, the grandstands at the start/finish straight offer fantastic views with DRS overtakes. The Senna S is also excellent as there are often incidents in this chicane.
Things to Do in the Area
Music: As part of the F1 festivities, there is a Podium Concert with headline A-list music artist, delicious food, thrilling games, and a live DJ.
Dining: Les Premiers Vendredi is a Montreal festival of food trucks - one of Canada's biggest gatherings of its kind.
Beaches: Beachclub is located just outside of Montreal in Pointe-Calumet near Oka beach. It's the largest outdoor venue of its kind in North America,
Shopping: Indulge in some shopping, from top of the line Montreal malls to cute boutiques, vintage shops and more.
Nightlife: Montreal is home to an impressive range of nightclubs, cafes, bars, and performance venues.
Tickets too Expensive?
Why not sign up to our waitlist to get to the front of the queue to enter our F1 Grand Prix ticket prize draw*? One lucky winner will get two premium hospitality tickets to a European F1 GP including flights and accommodation and get a spectacular view of the wheel-to-wheel battles.
So keep an eye on your email for the launch of our prize draw and get ready to cheer for your favorite drivers! 🏁🎫
*PitPerks prize draws will be open to UK residents only.
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