A Closer Look At The Canada Circuit

Hello, Maniacs again! It’s race weekend again finally and we’re heading for Round 7 for this F1 2015 season in Montreal Canada on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit. “Bienvenue au Quebec” says the wall of champions. This is a historic circuit, that always has shown great races, also because of the crazy weather changes.

Similarly to Melbourne’s Albert Park, the race takes place through a public park, with cars darting through the trees on public roads and parts of a purpose-built race track.

The circuit has hardly changed since its introduction to the calendar, with the move to new pit buildings for the 1988 grand Prix the only major change. No wonder too: the track’s layout has leaned itself to lots of overtaking over the years and plenty of enthralling, chaotic racing.

Two of the best overtaking spots on the circuit are the L’Engle hairpin at turn 10 and the final chicane at turns 12 and 13 at the end of the back straight. However, also look out for action in the opening complex of corners along with turns six and eight as the track twists through the park.

Ideally, for these types of a corner a high-downforce setup is required to aid stability under braking – the track tests brakes to their limits – and for traction on the corner exit. However, a back straight of over 1km means that set-up is a delicate balancing act.

One famous feature on the circuit is the ‘Wall of Champions’. Exiting the final chicane onto the pit straight, a wall runs tight to the track which has ended many drivers’ – and champions’ – races over the years. In 1999, three world champions, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, and Jacques Villeneuve all crashed out at the corner.

As always let’s jump on the simulator for a virtual lap on this track watch it here!

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see you in the next episode!