An introduction to the Canadian Grand Prix
Historically, the Canadian Grand Prix (Grand Prix du Canada) was shared between two circuits: Bowmanville in Ontario and Saint-Jovite in Quebec. However, both tracks became outdated and were considered not up to standards. The Canadian Grand Prix organisers didn't have the money to build a brand new F1 track even though F1 was becoming increasingly popular as Canada's own Gilles Villenenue looked a promising driver. The race organisers decided to use an existing infrastructure and upgrade it, creating the îles de Notre Dame circuit. Since then the F1 Canadian Grand Prix has been permanently hosted by Montreal.
The Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal at the îles de Notre Dame, now renamed Gilles Villeneuve racing circuit, has been a permanent feature on the F1 Championship calendar since 1978 (except for 1987 when there was no Canadian Grand Prix). The track is considered to be loveliest in the F1 line-up because the narrow track cuts through lakes, lush parkland and provides beautiful views. The circuit is built on a man-made island in the St Lawrence River that was made for the 1967 Montreal Expo.
The Montreal circuit was originally named îles Notre Dame Circuit, but the tragic death of Canadian F1 driver Gilles Villeneuve prompted the Montreal Executive Committee to rename of the track in his honour in 1982 to Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Villeneuve was an up-and-coming F1 driver who got his first Grand Prix win in his first season with Ferrari. It happened at his home Grand Prix in Canada, the first one hosted at Ile de Notre Dame. He was killed during a practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix on the Zolder racing circuit that same year.
In 1996, Canadians became excited when Gilles' son, Jacques, became a driver for Williams. But he never won in Montreal. Michael Schumacher holds the track record with seven wins in Canada. The Gilles Villeneuve Circuit was also the scene of Jean Alesi's only Grand Prix victory back in 1995 when he drove the number 27 Ferrari, the same car number driven by Gilles Villeneuve. The track boasts an excellent infrastructure and is a favourite among F1 enthusiasts. Last year’s 2011 Canadian Grand Prix was won by Briton Jenson Button.