Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Racing CircuitStreet Circuit

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a 4.361 km semi-permanent road course on Ile Notre-Dame, a man-made island in the St Lawrence Seaway in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The island was originally created for Expo 67 and developed further for the 1976 Olympics, when a rowing basin and connecting roads were laid out alongside the parkland. Needing a new home for the Canadian Grand Prix after Mosport became unsuitable, organisers prepared the island circuit to a design by Roger Peart for the 1978 season, where local hero Gilles Villeneuve delivered a fairytale debut victory. After Villeneuve's death in 1982 the track was renamed in his honour, and the phrase 'Salut Gilles' painted near the grid remains in place today. The circuit's character is defined by twisty sections linked by long straights and tight hairpins, making it a severe test of braking and traction that is notoriously hard on cars. Its most famous feature is the wall on the exit of the final chicane, dubbed the 'Wall of Champions' after a string of title-winning drivers crashed into it, including Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher in 1999. Over the years it has uniquely hosted Formula One, Champ Car, Grand-Am, NASCAR and a one-off World Sportscar Championship round, the layout evolving through pit-area relocations and chicane reprofiling, most significantly in 2002. Since 2013 it has been a Formula One venue with assorted support categories, prized for its relaxed, fan-friendly Grand Prix atmosphere.

Operated by: Parc Jean-Drapeau