Circuit Gilles Villeneuve: All You Need to Know About the Canadian GP Circuit: History, Renaming, Characteristics

After the race where the top 10 finished exactly how they qualified, we are moving to Canadian GP in hopes of a more action-packed race. As we head to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the track has a rich history, that is often overlooked. For example, where did the name come from, and where exactly are the drivers driving their cars?

Round 9 will hopefully be more interesting with the race as Monaco has very little space to offer when it comes to overtakes. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on the other hand comes with wide roads that will bring out the aggressiveness of the drivers trying to gain positions in the race. So now that we are heading to Canada for the Montreal race, here is all you need to know about the Gilles Villeneuve track.

The Circuit’s new name: Gilles Villeneuve

Formula 1 is heading to Canada after a weekend off to race on the 4.361 km which will have 70 laps. This will be a long race and the lap record here is held by Valtteri Bottas clocking in a 1:13:078 in 2019. The circuit was built on Notre Dame Island which is a man-made island in the middle of the St Lawrence River.

Canada decided it was time to make an island of their own when they needed a place to host the 1967 Expo 67 World’s Fair. After the event was concluded,  some people decided to make a race track out of the roads from the island giving birth to the Circuit Ile Notre-Dame. However, that name stayed for a short period as it was changed to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve shortly after. But why you ask?

It was not until 1978 that the track was used in an F1 Grand Prix and Canadian driver, Gilles Villeneuve, won his first race at the track. Île Notre-Dame Circuit and was renamed in 1982 to honor Gilles Villeneuve who tragically died earlier that year.

Villeneuve was a big name in the Canadian motorsport world as he conquered the home circuit becoming a local legend. Knowing that the local had won a race at the track, made it a fitting tribute for the track owners to rename the track after the F1 legend. The Canadian driver who never got lower than a P5 after his first race on the circuit, and winning it the second time he raced on it in F1, became enough reason for the track to be named after him.

What is the story of his son?

Jacques Villeneuve won the Formula One World Championship driving for the Williams-Renault team. This was a significant achievement as he became only the third driver in history to win the title in just his second full season in Formula One. Although he surpassed his father by becoming a world champion, sadly Jr Villeneuve could not secure a win at the home circuit named after his father.

Villeneuve secured 11 Grand Prix victories and 23 podium finishes during his Formula One career. But F1 was not his only interest as Villeneuve Jr also won the prestigious Indianapolis 500 race in 1995. Jacques Villeneuve tried his hands in the NASCAR Cup Series, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the FIA World Endurance Championship but to no end.

It was his early F1 career that propelled his rise, by winning a championship title.

Where did the Canadian GP happen before Montreal?

Before the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit became the venue for Formula 1 in Canada, races were held at the Mosport Park, which is now known as the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The venue hosted the Canadian Prix in 1967, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, and 1977. The Mosport Park track was known for its challenging and fast layout but was soon deemed too dangerous to race at which led the GP to move.

However, in the middle of Mosport Park being the main venue for the Canadian GP, Circuit Mont-Tremblant served as the racing grounds in 1968 and 1970. Ultimately it was the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit that was finalized to be the F1 location in Canada.

With years of history, the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit welcomes F1 again in 2024. The battle between McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull has grown ever so fierce. Who do you think will win at the Canadian GP? Let us know your thoughts.