History of The Canadian Grand Prix

An often overlooked race, this race has a large amount of rich history rooted in Québec, Canada.

(Image credit to BBC)

It’s finally race week and we’re back in Canada for the 55th annual Canadian Grand Prix. This track has an incredible, detailed history that is often overlooked on the Formula One calendar, so here is everything you should know about the only Grand Prix up north. 

Since becoming a part of the Formula One World Championship back in 1967, this Grand Prix has been hosted at three different circuits: Mosport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Québec, and now, the legendary Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal, Québec. The current track has been used since 1978 and is named after Canadian racing legend and Montrèal home hero, Gilles Villeneuve. The track's location itself is incredibly unique, as it is built on Notre Dame Island in the Saint Lawrence River. 

Some of the previous winners that have come out on top from this incredible track include George Russell (2025), Max Verstappen (2022-2024), and Lewis Hamilton seven times. At this Grand Prix last year, Kimi Antonelli claimed his maiden Formula One podium. Ferrari is the most awarded constructor at the Canadian Grand Prix, winning the constructors trophy 14 times across history. The fastest lap set around this 4.361km track was set by Valtteri Bottas back in 2019 with the Mercedes W10, setting a time of 1:13.078.

As for the track itself, which was at one time called Île Notre-Dame Circuit, it features 14 turns total. The two penultimate turns form an amazing overtaking zone called Bienvenue au Québec (Welcome to Québec), which has been nicknamed the “Wall of Champions” after back in 1999, three former world champions found themselves in the outside wall. The hairpin at turn 10 (pictured in the photo) can often see several overtakes per race. After the death of Gilles Villeneuve in 1982, the circuit was renamed in his honor and has been called that ever since.  

There is loads of wildlife around the track, and in the weeks leading up to the race, city officials trap as many groundhogs around the circuit as they can to avoid them being hit on track. Unfortunately, they are unable to capture all of them, and this was seen at last year's Grand Prix when Lewis Hamilton hit a groundhog on the 13th lap of the race, causing damage to his Ferrari. This has happened multiple times in the past as well.

The weather in Montréal is always unpredictable, and rain was seen at this race last year. This year, rain is expected across the course of the weekend, so we are sure to see some wonderful action at this incredible circuit after three weeks of no racing. 

Article Written by Lizzie Kae