Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Grand Prix of Montreal (2002–2006) NASCAR Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200 (2007–2012) World Sportscar Championship (1990) | |
Website | http://www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca |
---|---|
Grand Prix Circuit (2002–present) | |
Length | 4.361 km (2.710 miles) |
Turns | 14 |
Race lap record | 1:13.078 ( Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W10, 2019) |
Grand Prix Circuit (1996–2001) | |
Length | 4.421 km (2.747 miles) |
Turns | 13 |
Race lap record | 1:17.205 ( Ralf Schumacher, Williams FW23, 2001) |
Grand Prix Circuit (1994–1995) | |
Length | 4.450 km (2.781 miles) |
Turns | 20 |
Race lap record | 1:28.927 ( Michael Schumacher, Benetton B194, 1994) |
Grand Prix Circuit (1988–1993) | |
Length | 4.430 km (2.753 miles) |
Turns | 17 |
Race lap record | 1:21.500 ( Michael Schumacher, Benetton B193, 1993) |
Grand Prix Circuit (1978–1986) | |
Length | 4.410 km (2.740 miles) |
Turns | 19 |
Race lap record | 1:25.443 ( Nelson Piquet, Williams FW11, 1986) |
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, also spelled Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve (French pronunciation:
Formula One at Montréal
The Canadian Grand Prix was first held at the circuit in 1978, where hometown hero Gilles Villeneuve (1950–1982) won for Scuderia Ferrari. The Grand Prix quickly became a mainstay of the Formula One calendar, with the race taking place in Montreal for the next thirty years. Once held in late September, the event was moved to its present location on the calendar of mid-June in 1982, to provide a warmer, more pleasant race weekend. Many great races have occurred at the track over the years, cementing its reputation as a truly unpredictable venue. However, the race was dropped from the 2009 Formula One calendar and replaced with the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, after running over two decades uninterrupted. On November 27, 2009, Quebec's officials and Canadian Grand Prix organizers announced a settlement with Formula One Administration and signed a new five-year contract spanning the 2010–2014 seasons.[2][3]
The 2011 edition of the race was the longest World Championship Grand Prix ever at over 4 hours in length, due to a lengthy rain delay.[4]
Circuit history
Originally named the Île Notre-Dame Circuit,
The race circuit is on
Over the winter of 2018–19 the paddock—in use since 1988—was demolished and replaced with the current structure.
Circuit layout
Barriers run close to the circuit and many experienced drivers have been caught out by them. A particularly famous part of the circuit is the wall on the outside of the exit of the final chicane before the start/finish straight. In
For the first few years of its existence, the track consisted of technical, medium speed chicanes and a relatively low overall lap speed. However, over the years the circuit has transformed into a power track, with straight line speed being very much a priority. Between 1986 and 1988 (with a one-year hiatus occurring in 1987), the pitlane and start-finish straight were relocated from the hairpin to the exit of the fast right-left chicane, which became the final corner. After the fatal crashes of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna at Imola earlier in the year, in 1994 a chicane was inserted between the Casino corner and the hairpin to decrease top speed. The 1996 race saw both the chicane and the Casino corner removed and the layout changed; the run from the hairpin at the bottom of the circuit was turned into a straight.
In 2002 the exit of the pitlane was changed to make exiting the pitlane safer for drivers. This also shortened the length of the circuit.
Changes made in 2005 to the curbs on the final chicane were controversial amongst drivers in the run-up to the Grand Prix. The curbs were made higher and more difficult for the drivers to see, making it even more challenging.
On June 23, 2006, the
In 2017, due to the higher cornering speeds of the new Formula One cars and the new safety requirements imposed by the
Senna 'S' turns
The complex of turns one and two has become known as the Senna 'S'. From a bird's eye view turns one and two together can represent an 'S' shape.
Pont de la Concorde corner
The very fast Pont de la Concorde corner (Turn 8) is after the bridge underpass and is known as a 'quick kink' before Turn 9 and the rush to a passing zone at the Hairpin curve.
The Hairpin Curve
Turn 10 at
Wall of Champions
Entering turns 12 & 13 drivers encounter one of the best passing zones, completing the long straight after the hairpin. Many duels have been seen exiting turn 12 with some race cars deciding to cut corner 13 into the run-off, with many going a bit 'too hot' apexing Turn 13 and not exiting intact. Turn 14 is dubbed the
Other circuit activities
As part of Parc Jean-Drapeau, the Circuit is open to visitors, between races, for walking, running, biking, in-line skating, and driving.[8] During the few days of the Grand Prix, Notre Dame Island is one of the noisiest places in Montréal. Other times of the year, it is one of the quietest, being located in the middle of a river, on an island filled with greenery and animals, joggers and cyclists. However, on June 4, 2009, administration of Notre Dame Island has forbidden the access of competitive cyclists to the circuit, justifying this as a security measure to avoid the increasing injuries that occurred between year 2008 and 2009. A total of 27 injuries have been reported. The ban on cyclists has since been lifted due to protests.[citation needed]
Layout history
Events
The events at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve are listed as:[9]
- Current
- June: Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, Ferrari Challenge North America, Porsche Carrera Cup North America
- Former
- Atlantic Championship(1978–1983, 1986, 1988–2006)
- Barber Pro Series (2002–2003)
- Canadian Superbike Championship (2004)
- Champ Car World Series
- Grand Prix of Montreal(2002–2006)
- Formula BMW USA (2004–2008)
- Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series
- Montreal 200 (2007–2012)
- IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Canada (2012–2013, 2016–2019)
- NASCAR Canadian Tire Series
- NAPA Autopro 100 (2007–2012)
- NASCAR Nationwide Series
- NAPA Auto Parts 200 (2007–2012)
- Star Mazda Championship (2005–2006)
- Trans-Am Series (2005)
- SCCA Motorola Cup (1998)
- World Sportscar Championship
- 480 km of Montreal (1990)
Lap records
As the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve serves as host to different racing series, it is possible to directly compare different race series' lap times.
In 2006, the last time
2007 NASCAR Busch Series driver Patrick Carpentier racing in the NAPA Auto Parts 200, posted a pole time of 1:42.086.[10] The pole time at the 2012 NAPA Auto Parts 200 was 1:40.865 by Alex Tagliani.[11]
The track record for the
The fastest ever lap around the circuit was set by Sebastian Vettel with a time of 1:10.240 set in qualifying (Q3) for the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix. As this time was set during qualifying, it is not recognized as an official lap record. Lewis Hamilton set the previous lap record with a time of 1:11.459 during qualifying for the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix, earning him pole position. This was Hamilton's 65th pole position which put him level with Ayrton Senna in the F1 history books. After qualifying, Hamilton was awarded a helmet that belonged to his hero as a celebration. This helmet was sent by Senna's family and was awarded to an emotional Hamilton in front of the crowd.
As of June 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve are listed as:[12]
See also
- List of auto racing tracks in Canada
- Other Montreal area race tracks
References
- ^ Roger Peart design Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for Formula One Canadian Grand Prix 15 March 2023.
- ^ Canada returns to F1 championship Archived November 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine – f1-live.com, November 27, 2009
- ^ Montreal Grand Prix Is Back On for 2010 Archived December 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine – The New York Times, November 27, 2009
- ^ "Button scores tenth win in longest race ever". F1 Fanatic. June 13, 2011. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ Automobile Year, 1978/79, page 235
- ^ Peter Higham, The Guinness Guide to International Motor Racing, 1995, Page 362
- ^ "ESPN – Harvick wins wild Busch race, but disqualified Gordon claims he won – Nascar". August 5, 2007. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2007.
- ^ "Circuit Gilles Villeneuve". Archived from the original on September 2, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
- ^ "Circuit Gilles Villeneuve". Ultimate Racing History. Archived from the original on March 26, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ "2007 NAPA Auto Parts 200 Presented By Dodge". Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "2012 NAPA Auto Parts 200 Presented By Dodge". Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Montreal Fastest Lap Comparison". Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ "2003 Formula Atlantic Montreal". August 23, 2003. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ "2010 Montreal Grand-Am". Motor Sport Magazine. August 28, 2010. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "2024 Montreal - Ferrari Challenge North America - Race 1 Provisional Results (30 Minutes)" (PDF). June 8, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ "Le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, August 26-28 Août 2005 Molson Indy Montreal SCCA Trans-Am Series Race 1 / Course 1". August 28, 2005. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ "2006 Montreal Indy Pro 2000 Race Statistics". June 24, 2006. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "2018 Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama - Grand Prix du Canada - Race 2 Official Results (30 Minutes)" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). June 12, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "Montreal 2 Hours 2012". August 18, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ "Le Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, August 22-24 Août 2003 - Molson Indy Montreal - Champcar Barber Dodge Pro Series Race 3 / Course 3". August 24, 2003. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ "August 29, 2004 - Circuit Gilles Villeneuve - Superbike Invitational Race Results". August 29, 2004. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ "Le Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, June 23–25 Juin 2006 Grand-Prix du Canada IMSA Formula BMW North American Championship Race 3/Course 3". June 25, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ "Le Circuit Gilles-Villeneuves Le Grand-Prix du Canada, June 12 Juin 2016 Formula Tour 1600 Round #5/Epreuve #5". June 12, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ "2001 Formula Atlantic Montreal". June 9, 2001. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ "Le Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, June 8-10 Juin 2001 Grand-Prix Air Canada Grand-Am Ferrari Challenge Race 3 / Course 3". June 10, 2001. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ "Montréal Grand-Prix Player's du Canada, June 7 Juin 1998". June 7, 1998. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "Montreal, Grand-Prix Molson Dry du Canada, June 11 Juin 1995 SCCA Player's Toyota Atlantic Championship Round 6/Epreuve 6". June 11, 1995. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ "Montreal Grand-Prix Molson du Canada, June 12 Juin 1994". June 12, 1994. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "World Sports Prototype Championship Montreal 1990". September 23, 1990. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "Montreal, Grand-Prix Molson du Canada, June 17 Juin 1989". June 17, 1989. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "Montreal, Grand-Prix Labatt du Canada, October 30 Octobre 1979". October 30, 1979. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
External links
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve History and Statistics
- Statistics from official F1 site
- A lap of Montreal with Honda’s Alex Wurz
- Montreal – the technical requirements
- Trackpedia guide to driving Gilles Villeneuve
- BBC's circuit guide
- Ciro Pabón's Racetracks 3D views and virtual laps of all F1 circuits, including this one, via Google Earth
- Spectator testimonial of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
- NASCAR Busch Series on Play-Montreal
- Parc Jean-Drapeau
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Google Maps (Current Formula 1 Tracks)