F1MATHS - Numbers, facts and trivia for the Canadian Grand Prix

F1 Grand Prix, GP Canada, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Teams and drivers have assembled in North America for the Canadian Grand Prix, held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. F1Technical’s lead writer Balázs Szabó picks out the essential facts ahead of the Montreal round of the 2026 Formula One season.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve blends characteristics of a permanent circuit with the challenges of a street track, creating a demanding mix of low grip and high‑speed sections around its 4.361km layout. The long straights tempt drivers to stay aggressive on the throttle, but the concrete walls lining the track punish even the smallest mistake.

With the lap being relatively short, drivers must complete 70 laps to reach the full race distance of 305.207km.

Today’s race marks the 55th FIA Formula One Canadian Grand Prix. Canada joined the calendar in 1967 and has only been absent three times. The event was originally held at Mosport Park, which hosted eight Grands Prix, while Mont‑Tremblant staged two editions before the race moved to Montreal in 1978.

For six drivers, Montreal holds a special place in their careers: Lewis Hamilton, Robert Kubica, Daniel Ricciardo, Thierry Boutsen, Gilles Villeneuve, and Jean Alesi all claimed their maiden Formula One victory at this circuit.

Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the record for the most Canadian Grand Prix victories, with seven wins each. Both achieved this across two teams: Schumacher won once for Benetton and six times for Ferrari, while Hamilton claimed four victories for McLaren and four for Mercedes.

Although overtaking is certainly possible in Montreal, most races here have been won from pole position. A notable exception is Daniel Ricciardo’s 2014 victory, achieved from P6 on the grid. The furthest back a winner has started is P10, when Jacques Laffite triumphed for Ligier.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is the first of three Formula One venues named after legendary drivers, all located in the Americas. The others are the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City and the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo.

Originally known as the Circuit Île Notre‑Dame, it was renamed in 1982 to honour Gilles Villeneuve, following his tragic death at the Belgian Grand Prix just a month earlier.

The Montreal layout is defined by long straights and the proximity of the barriers. The final chicane is particularly notorious: Jacques Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher, and Damon Hill all crashed there during the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix, giving rise to the nickname “Wall of Champions.” Since then, it has claimed several more high‑profile victims, including Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel.

Weather often plays a decisive role in Montreal. The 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, heavily affected by rain, remains the longest race in Formula One history, lasting 4 hours, 4 minutes and 39 seconds, including an extended red‑flag period.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve measures 4.361km, with the lap record standing at 1:13.078, set by Valtteri Bottas for Mercedes in 2019. The start and finish lines are positioned at the same point, and the race distance is reached after 70 laps, totalling 305.270km. The pitlane speed limit is fixed at 80km/h throughout practice, qualifying and the race.

For 2026, the venue features a notable modification: a realignment of the wall at the Turn 13 run‑off on the right‑hand side, where cars rejoin the track. This adjustment aims to improve safety and refine the approach to the final chicane.