F1 Canadian Grand Prix preview: Previous winners, fastest lap, track layout, history and more

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Formula One returns to North America for the second time in 2023 as the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal hosts the Canadian Grand Prix. 

Over the years this track has given F1 fans around the world some of the most memorable moments, from the 1999 christening of the 'Wall of Champions' to Jenson Button's stunning victory in the rain back in 2011. 

It's also regarded by the drivers themselves as one of their favourite tracks on the calendar each season. 

From circuit stats to previous results, The Sporting News tells you everything you need to know about the Canadian Grand Prix and its illustrious history.

MORE: F1 Canadian Grand Prix predictions, odds, betting tips, best bets for 2023 race

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve circuit facts and layout

  • First Grand Prix hosted: 1978 (other venues hosted since 1961)
  • Numbers of laps: 70
  • Circuit length: 4.361km
  • Total race distance: 305.27km

This track is best known for the 'Wall of Champions' which has claimed the egos of many drivers over the years. It got its name during the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix when Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher all collided there.

Muro de los campeones F1 Canada

MORE: 2023 season calendar, list of circuits, fastest ever lap times and more

Five interesting facts about the Canadian Grand Prix

  • The Canadian Grand Prix takes place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve which resides on Ile Notre-Dame, an artificial island in the centre of Montreal. The island was built in 1961 to be an event ground for the World's Fair and was later used for the 1970 Olympics.
     
  • The track was originally called the Île Notre-Dame Circuit after the island that it's located on, however, it was re-named after Gilles Villeneuve in 1982 following his tragic death at the Belgian Grand Prix earlier in the year.
     
  • A staple at this track, don't be surprised to see groundhogs running across the track. Officials try to trap and move as many of the creatures as they can before the racing weekend begins but it's not always to avail. 
     
  • The 2011 Canadian Grand Prix holds the record for longest F1 race in history. Due to severe weather, a long red flag stoppage and several safety cars, it took four hours, four minutes and 39.537 seconds to complete.
     
  • According to experts and drivers alike, the pit exit at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one of the hardest in the sport. That's because it enters the track in the middle of corner one which has caused multiple incidents before. 

List of previous winners of the Canadian Grand Prix

Below is a full list of winners at the Canadian Grand Prix from when the race has been a regular part of the Formula One calendar. It has hosted races since 1961 overall during its history.

Year Winner Constructor of winner
1967 Jack Brabham Brabham-Repco
1968 Denny Hulme McLaren-Ford
1969 Jacky Ickx Brabham-Repco
1970 Jacky Ickx Ferrari
1971 Jackie Stewart Tyrrell-Ford
1972 Jackie Stewart Tyrrell-Ford
1973 Peter Revson McLaren-Ford
1974 Emerson Fittipaldi McLaren-Ford
1976 James Hunt McLaren-Ford
1977 Jody Scheckter Wolf-Ford
1978 Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari
1979 Alan Jones Williams-Ford
1980 Alan Jones Williams-Ford
1981 Jacques Laffite Ligier-Matra
1982 Nelson Piquet Brabham-BMW
1983 René Arnoux Ferrari
1984 Nelson Piquet Brabham-BMW
1985 Michele Alboreto Ferrari
1986 Nigel Mansell Williams-Honda
1988 Ayrton Senna McLaren-Honda
1989 Thierry Boutsen Williams-Renault
1990 Ayrton Senna McLaren-Honda
1991 Ayrton Senna Benetton-Ford
1992 Gerhard Berger McLaren-Honda
1993 Alain Prost Williams-Renault
1994 Michael Schumacher Benetton-Ford
1995 Jean Alesi Ferrari
1996 Damon Hill Williams-Renault
1997 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
1998 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
1999 Mika Häkkinen McLaren-Mercedes
2000 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2001 Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW
2002 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2003 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2004 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2005 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes
2006 Fernando Alonso Renault
2007 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
2008 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber
2010 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
2011 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
2012 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
2013 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull
2014 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull
2015 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2016 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2017 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2018 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari
2019 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2022 Max Verstappen Red Bull

Who holds the fastest lap record at the Canadian Grand Prix?

Valtteri Bottas — 1:13.078

Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas currently holds the lap record at the Canadian Grand Prix. Back in 2019 when driving for Mercedes, he punched in a 1:13.078 en route to a P4 finish in Montreal. 

Bottas - Cropped
Author(s)
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Nathan Evans is a data editor for The Sporting News.
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