Official F1 Journal Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Track Guide

6/6/2024

Formula 1 returns to North America for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend. This marks a break in the European races before returning to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix on June 21 - 23, the first of a European triple header.

Montreal is a low-downforce circuit with no high-speed corners but plenty of overtaking opportunities. The weather can be unpredictable, with rain forecast all weekend.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve isn’t a permanent circuit. It is on Île Notre-Dame, an artificial island in Montreal built from rock excavated for the Montreal Subway System. This track has been hosting the Grand Prix since 1978 after the island was repurposed from the 1970 Montreal Olympics. Tyre degradation is expected to be high over the weekend.

This weekend, Jack Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon for Free Practice 1.

Race Stats

Grand Prix Laps - 70
Circuit Length - 4.361km
Race Distance - 305.27km
Corners - 14
DRS Zones -
Detection 1 - 15m after turn 5
Activation 1 - 95m after turn 7
Detection 2 - 110m after turn 9
Activation 2 - 155m before turn 12
Activation 3 - 70m after turn 14
Time Lost in Pitlane - 18.35 seconds
Tyre Compounds -
Hard Medium Soft
C3 C4 C5
Minimum Starting Tyre Pressures-
Front Rear
23.5psi 20.5psi
Maximum Starting Tyre Camber-
Front Rear
-3.25º -2.00º

Track Stats

Times Held - 43
First Time Held - 1978
Pole Record - 1'10.240 Vettel (2019)
Lap Record - 1'13.078 Bottas (2019)
Winners - 24
Pole Sitters - Schumacher (6)
Podium Finishers - Schumacher (12)
Most Driver Poles -Schumacher/Hamilton (6)
Most Team Poles - Williams (8)
Most Driver Wins - Schumacher/Hamilton (7)
Most Team Wins - Ferrari (14)
Most Driver Podiums - Schumacher (12)
Most Team Podiums - Ferrari (34)
Most Fastest Laps (Driver) - Schumacher (4)
Most Fastest Laps (Team) - McLaren (10)

Times Won From Pole - 27
Lowest Starting Position to Win - Pit Lane
Smallest Pole Margin - 0.013secs (1997)
Smallest Win Margin - Schumacher 0.174s 2000
Largest Pole Margin - 1.244 secs (Verstappen 2023)
Largest Win Margin - 42.029secs Arnoux (1983)
Least Cars to Finish - 16
Virtual Safety Car - 67% probability
Safety Cars - 67% probability
Red Flags - 5
Rain (during the race) - races

Schedule

Previous Results

2023
Qualifying -
1 VER 1'25.858
2 HUL 1'27.102
3 ALO 1'27.286
Race -
1 VER (2 stop)
2 ALO (2 stop)
3 HAM (2 stop)
Fastest Lap- 1'14.481 PER L70

2022
Qualifying -
1 VER 1'21.299
2 ALO 1'21.944
3 SAI 1'22.096
Race -
1 VER (2 stop)
2 SAI (2 stop)
3 HAM (2 stop)
Fastest Lap - 1'15.749 SAI L63

2019
Qualifying -
1 VET 1'10.240
2 HAM 1'10.446
3 LEC 1'10.920
Race -
1 HAM (1 stop)
2 VET (1 stop)
3 LEC (1 stop)
Fastest Lap - 1'13.078 BOT L69

Track Changes

Track has been fully resurfaced
All kerbs have been replaced
Track surface between Turn 7 and Turn 8 has been lowered to increase clearance between track and the Concorde Bridge to min. 4.0 m
The opening before Turn 2 on LHS at Pit Exit has been moved a few metres downstream
The access road into Turn 5 and Turn 7 has been asphalted
The run-off at Turn 8 has been rebuilt with asphalt and grass and the walls have been realigned
The grasscrete behind kerb in Turn 1, Turn 3 and Turn 6 has been replaced with concrete
All walls have been realigned to guarantee 1.0 m height

Random Facts

The circuit is named after the Canadian racing driver Gilles Villeneuve, who tragically lost his life in 1982.
The Canadian Grand Prix has only been won by a Canadian once, in 1978 by Gilles Villeneuve.
Lewis Hamilton has won the Canadian Grand Prix 7 times, a record he shares with michael Schumacher.
Turn 14 is known as 'The Wall of Champions' and became famous in 1999, when it ended the races of Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve.
Canada holds the record for the longest race in F1 history, lasting four hours and four minutes and 39 seconds after a two hour long safety car at the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix.

Anny Wooldridge
Writer @ F1 Journal

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