Gilles Villeneuve Circuit Formula One Race Track

Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal

The Gilles Villeneuve Circuit was named after Gilles Villeneuve, a Canadian driver and father to Jacques Villeneuve. The circuit was constructed on a man made island names Ile Notre-Dame, which is located in the St Lawrence River, in Montreal. Not only does this circuit host the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, but a NASCAR Busch Series race will be hosted here from 2007. It was also home to the Champ Car World Series Grand Prix of Montreal that was hosted here between the years 2002 to 2006.

Being situated in the middle of the St Lawrence River, for most of the year, Ile Notre Dame is a quiet island that is lush and green and the fastest moving objects on its surface, are animals, cycle enthusiasts and the joggers. But for a few days within this idyllic year, the island comes alive with racing teams and noise levels beyond belief.

The Gilles Villeneuve Circuit is part street circuit, and is extremely fast. Many drivers have misjudged the barriers that are located very close to the track. The most famous part of this track, is a wall that is located just outside the end of the last chicane, which said “Welcome to Quebec” and was later nicknamed the Quebec Wall. Three Formula 1 champions had their races ended here, namely Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill and also Michael Schumacher. The wall no longer carries the name Quebec Wall, but was renamed, the Wall of Champions.

In 2005, the curbs in the last chicane were made higher, and drivers complained that they were more difficult to see and that the curbs made the chicane even more difficult for drivers to navigate. The changes were extremely controversial, and the fact that the track had reduced the area for general admission ticket holders, to see the race. This forces spectators to purchase grandstand tickets, to enable them to see.

Normand Legault was awarded exclusive rights, by the city of Montreal, to host two race weekends on the track. Legault is the promoter for the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix. The contract for the rights, runs from the year 2007 to the year 2011, after which there is an option to extend it from 2012 to the year 2016. The Champ Car Races have been replaced with the NASCAR Busch Series and the Grand American Road Racing Associations’ Rolex Series. It will be the first race for the NASCAR Busch Series, to be raced to the north of the Canadian-US border.