Track Length: 4.361 km (2.710 miles)
Number of Turns: 14
Circuit Type: Hybrid street circuit / natural road course
FIA Grade: Grade One
Direction: Clockwise
Top Speed Potential: ~330 km/h (205 mph) on the back straight
Primary Use: Formula One – Canadian Grand Prix (FIA)
The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is one of Formula One’s most iconic street circuits, combining tight chicanes, long straights, and unforgiving walls. Built on the man-made Notre Dame Island in Montreal, the circuit threads through parklands and along Olympic waterways, creating a high-speed rhythm track where precision is everything.
The Turn 10 Hairpin is one of the best overtaking zones in Formula One, thanks to heavy braking at the end of the long back straight. But it’s Turn 13 and 14, the final chicane, that demand the most attention—it’s the location of the "Wall of Champions," so named because of the number of elite drivers who’ve ended their races there, including Schumacher, Villeneuve, and Hill.
This track puts maximum stress on brakes and traction—drivers must launch cleanly out of slow chicanes onto high-speed straights. Mistakes are punished instantly with walls never far from the racing line. There’s also minimal runoff—this track requires total commitment.
Originally called Île Notre-Dame Circuit, the track was renamed in 1982 to honor Gilles Villeneuve, the legendary Canadian F1 driver who tragically died that same year. Since its debut in 1978, the circuit has delivered some of the sport’s most dramatic moments—thanks to its challenging layout and unpredictable conditions.
It has hosted Formula One, ChampCar, Grand-Am, and NASCAR, making it one of the rare circuits to do so using nearly the same layout. The Canadian Grand Prix has become a fan-favorite for its festival atmosphere, thrilling races, and tendency to deliver unexpected results. Notably, the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix remains the longest F1 race in history, lasting over four hours due to rain delays and safety cars.
Nestled within Parc Jean-Drapeau, the circuit wraps around the Olympic Basin and features a paddock rebuilt in 2019 to meet modern standards. Despite its temporary nature, the circuit is a high-performance challenge on par with the most elite permanent venues.
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve: Where legends rise, and champions hit the wall.
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