Canadian Grand Prix

The Canadian Grand Prix is one of the most popular races on the Formula One calendar and has been a regular part of the circuit since it first hosted the series in 1967. The race was first held at Mosport Park and then hosting was alternated with Circuit Mont-Tremblant between 1968 and 1970. Since 1978 the race has been held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

The 2005 race was the most watched Formula Grand Prix Grand Prix in the world and was the third most watched sporting event of the year, behind the Superbowl and the Champions League Final.

2011 Season

Following a year off when the Grand Prix was not included in the Formula One series the return to Canada is eagerly anticipated. In particular, Ferrari will be looking to the circuit to provide them with some much-needed points.

The race will take place on the 12th June and the Italian team will be looking to re-assert their traditional dominance at the track after a number of lean years with a good team performance. Preparations got under way with extensive testing by Giancarlo Fisichella at the Vairano and the team hope that their blown rear wing will give them an advantage with the extended running at top speeds down the long sections of track.

Overview

The Canadian Grand Prix track is constructed each year despite the appearance of a permanent circuit. The circuit is a mix of street circuit and permanent racing surface adjacent to an Olympic Rowing basin and the 1967 World Fair.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has a lap distance of 4.361 km and the race takes place over 70 laps with a total distance covered by the cars of 305.270 km. The current lap record of 1:13:622 is held by Rubens Barrichello and was set in 2004. There are 12 corners as part of a circuit that is well known to be hard on cars but the mix of slow and fast corners together with some very quick straights is very popular with the drivers.

History

The Canadian Grand Prix has been held since 1961 and the event has been held at a number of different venues before a permanent home was found for the race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. The circuit was named after Quebec native Gilles Villeneuve who was the first winner of the race in Montreal and died on the final qualifying lap of the Belgian Grand Prix in 1982.

The Canadian Grand Prix was included in the Formula One circuit in 1967 and was a regular fixture in the schedule. The race did not take place in 2009 when the race was replaced by the Turkish Grand Prix but was re-added the following year following track improvements. The current record for the number of Grand Prix victories is held by Michael Schumacher with a total of seven wins.

Key Moments

2007

Lewis Hamilton wins the race to claim his first Grand Prix victory.

2001

Ralf Schumacher wins the race with brother Michael Schumacher finishing in second place to record the first sibling 1-2 finish in Grand Prix history.

1995

Jean Alesi wins the Grand Prix to record the only victory of his career.

1987

The race did not take place as a result of a sponsorship dispute between two Canadian breweries.

1982

Following the death of Gilles Villeneuve at the Belgian Grand Prix the Montreal circuit is renamed in his honour. The race attracts tragedy as the young Italian driver Riccardo Paletti dies following a collision during racing.