Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

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Updated On :26 Feb, 2021

Full Name
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Capacity
100,000

Type
Outdoor

Location
Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Circuit
Clockwise

Circuit Type
Street

Length
4.361 km

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a motor racing circuit, is located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is one of the venues that host the FIA Formula One Canadian Grand Prix. Originally, the circuit was named the Ile Notre-Dame Circuit when it was built. The circuit was renamed in the year 1982, in honour of Canadian Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve, father of Jacques Villeneuve. The circuit has a capacity of 100,000 spectators and comprises of 13 turns. A peculiar wall outside the exit of the final chicane is much publicized. In the year 1999, the wall ended the race of three Formula One World Champions Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve. Since then, it is named as the "The Wall of the Champions". In recent years, 2009 world champion Jenson Button and four times world champion Sebastian Vettel have also ended their race by the wall.

Trivia

The circuit is built on a man-made island called Notre Dame Island in the St. Lawrence River.

Significance

In the year 2002, Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya set a pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix with a lap record of 1:12.836. A few weeks later, Cristiano da Matta set a pole position with a lap time of 1:18.959.
The circuit has also hosted international events such as: Nascar Xfinity Series (2007-2012), Nascar Canadian Tire Series (2007-2012) and Grand AM Rolex Sportscar Series (2007-2012)
The circuit hosted the FIA World Sportscar Championship in 1990.
The venue has been the host of the Champ Car World Series Grand Prix of Montreal from 2002 to 2006.
Ralf Schumacher set the fastest ever lap around the circuit with a time of 1:12.275 set in the qualifying session of the 2004 Canadian Grand Prix.