Circuit snapshot
Source: Jolpica F1 API- Location
- Montreal, Canada
- First F1 race
- 1978 · Canadian Grand Prix
- Most recent race
- 2026 · Canadian Grand Prix
- Seasons hosted
- 45
- Eras hosted
- 1970s · 1980s · 1990s · 2000s · 2010s · 2020s
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, situated on Notre Dame Island in Montreal, Canada, stands as a unique fixture on the Formula 1 calendar, blending the high-speed demands of a traditional circuit with the unforgiving nature of a street course. Since its inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1978, the circuit has become synonymous with dramatic racing and unexpected outcomes, hosting a remarkable 45 races across six decades, from the 1970s right through to the 2020s, with its last scheduled race in 2026.
Layout & Character
Measuring 4.361 km with 14 corners, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a true hybrid. Its design features long, flat-out straights like the Casino Straight and the Droit du Pont, punctuated by tight chicanes and heavy braking zones. This combination demands a car that is both aerodynamically efficient for high-speed stability and mechanically robust for quick changes of direction. Unlike purpose-built circuits such as the , the Montreal track’s semi-permanent nature means concrete walls are an ever-present threat, most famously at the final chicane's exit, dubbed the "Wall of Champions." This iconic barrier has claimed many illustrious drivers, underscoring the circuit's low margin for error.