Loaction: Gille Villeneuve Circuit, Montreal
Raceday: Sunday, 25 June 2006
Time: 0100 Mon (+12 GMT)
2005 winner: K Raikonnen
Number of laps: 70
Circuit length: 4.361 Km
Click for larger view
In the 1960s the rivalry between French and English speaking Canada
meant that the country's Grand Prix had two homes: Mosport Park one
year and Mont-Tremblant the next. By 1970, however, Mont-Tremblant
was deemed too dangerous and the race moved full time to Mosport
Park.
In 1977 the French Canadians, motivated by the incredible success
of Gilles Villeneuve, decided it was about time they built a race
track. Building a new circuit simply wasn't feasible, however, as
time and money were against them. Their solution was simple and
effective. Taking the Ile de Notre Dame, they connected all the
island's roads and made a circuit. The island had been the home of
the 1967 World Fair (Expo'67) and was full of futuristic looking
buildings. It was, everyone agreed, a perfect venue for a Grand
Prix.
After $2m was spent on upgrading the circuit to Formula One
standards, the first race was held there in October 1978. Gilles
Villeneuve, in his first season with Ferrari, was yet to win a race
in Formula One, but at his home grand prix he took a memorable
debut victory. Following his tragic death in 1982, the track was
renamed in his honour.
His son, Jacques, has never won at the track but some of the great
drivers of the sport have taken the spoils here. Michael Schumacher
holds the record of having won seven times in Canada. It is also
the scene of Jean Alesi's single Grand Prix victory in 1995,
driving the number 27 Ferrari, the same car number which carried
Gilles Villeneuve into the hearts of the Canadian Formula One
fans.
The Gilles Villeneuve Circuit lies on the island of Ile Notre Dame
on the St. Laurence River, near downtown Montreal. It is within
walking distance of the Ile St. Helen underground metro station.
The metro (Line 4) runs from the city (Berri) to Jean Drapeau
station, a 20 minute ride. Bus 167 runs to the circuit.
By road the circuit is accessible direct via the De la Concorde
Bridge and Jacques-Cartier Bridge (exit Jean Drapeau) or from South
Shore.
Montreal is served by two major airports. International flights
come into Montreal-Trudeau, 18km west of the city (route 20), while
Mirabel is located to the north-west (route 15), 53km from
Montreal.
There is a frequent shuttle bus service from both that takes you
into the City Centre Air Terminal from where the bus or metro can
be taken to the circuit.
