HISTORY OF THE CIRCUIT

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, located on Île Notre-Dame in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, has a rich history that dates back to 1978. The track was constructed to host the Canadian Grand Prix, moving the event from its previous location at Mosport Park. The circuit is named in honour of Gilles Villeneuve, a legendary Canadian Formula 1 driver who passed away in 1982. The track is famous for its unique blend of high-speed straights and challenging chicanes, including the well-known "Wall of Champions" at the final chicane.

In 1982, the circuit was renamed in honour of Gilles Villeneuve following his tragic death during qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix. This renaming solidified his legacy and emotional connection to Canadian fans and the racing community.

The 1982 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is remembered for a tragic incident involving Italian driver Riccardo Paletti. During the race, Paletti, driving for the Osella team, suffered a fatal accident on the starting grid. As the race began, Didier Pironi's Ferrari stalled on pole position. While most drivers managed to avoid the stationary car, Paletti, starting from the back, collided with Pironi at high speed, causing a fiery crash.

One of the most dramatic races occurred in 1999 when the "Wall of Champions" lived up to its name. During this Grand Prix, several world champions, including Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve, crashed into the wall at the final chicane, highlighting the circuit's challenging nature.

The 2007 Canadian Grand Prix saw rookie Lewis Hamilton take his first Formula 1 victory. This win marked the beginning of an illustrious career for Hamilton, who would go on to become one of the sport's greatest drivers. The race was also notable for Robert Kubica's horrific crash, from which he miraculously emerged with only minor injuries. Kubica returned the following year to win the 2008 race, his only victory in Formula 1.

In 2011, the Canadian Grand Prix became the longest race in Formula 1 history, lasting over four hours due to a lengthy rain delay. Jenson Button triumphed in a dramatic race that saw him pit six times and recover from a collision with his teammate to take victory on the final lap, overtaking Sebastian Vettel.

The 2014 race was another thriller, where Daniel Ricciardo claimed his first Formula 1 win. The race was marked by multiple lead changes and intense battles, underscoring the circuit's reputation for producing exciting and unpredictable races.

The 2019 Canadian Grand Prix was controversial, with Sebastian Vettel crossing the finish line first but receiving a time penalty for rejoining the track unsafely after an off-track excursion. This handed the victory to Lewis Hamilton, sparking debates about racing regulations and steward decisions.

Here are some key statistics about the Canadian Grand Prix held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal:

• First Held: 1978
• Most Wins (Driver): Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, each with 7 victories
• Most Wins (Constructor): Ferrari 11 victories
• Lap Record: 1:13.078 set by Valtteri Bottas in 2019 (Mercedes)
• Track Length: 4.361 kilometres (2.710 miles)
• Race Distance: 305.27 kilometres (189.69 miles), typically completed in 70 laps.

The winners of the most recent F1 Grand Prix races held in Canada:

2015: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2016: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2018: Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
2019: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2020: Event not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021: Event not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
2023: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
2024: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)