circuit facts
 | No. of Laps |
| | 70 |
| Lap Distance |
| | 4.361km (2.71mi) |
| Race Distance |
| | 305.27km (189.7mi) |
| Fastest Lap Record |
| | R.Barrichello 1:13.622 |
| Fastest Pole Record |
| | - |
| No. of GP held |
| | 33 |
| First Race |
| | Oct 08, 1978 |
| Last Race |
| | Jun 10, 2012 |
| Defending Champion |
| | L.Hamilton |
circuit profile
Montreal
Located on the Ile Notre Dame in the St Lawrence river, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a low-downforce power track made up of long straights, chicanes and hairpins. Top-end speed, braking stability and traction are the keys to a good lap time, and the drivers need to be very precise with their lines because the walls are close.
The 4.361km lap is driven at an average of 200km/h with top speeds peaking at 320km/h on the start-finish straight where throttles will be fully open for 15 seconds going into Turn 2. As such, engine power and durability will be deciding variables this weekend.
Sufficient torque to power the car out of the corners will also be key as the high speed straights are met by a combination of slow and medium speed corners, the slowest of which being L'Epingle hairpin taken in second gear at just 65mph.
With a total of 15 corners around the lap, the circuit is notoriously hard on brakes (temperatures can reach up to 1,000°C during the race. Combined with Montréal's imposing kerbs and the unforgiving run-off areas, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve invariably claims a number of casualties, but the fans' enthusiasm is always rewarded with an exciting Canadian Grand Prix.
The long straights and heavy braking areas produce close racing and, being only a short hop on the Metro from downtown Montreal, the race is well attended and has a great atmosphere.
The home of the Canadian GP since 1978 is not the most technical of circuits on the F1 calendar but is notorious for placing high amounts of stress on an F1 car's brakes due to various chicanes and hairpins.