Ferrari records in Canada: poles positions, race wins, stats and key data | 2024 F1 Montreal GP. Ferrari key records in Canada ahead of 2024 F1 Montreal GP.

• LOCATION Montreal
• FIRST GP 1978
• CIRCUIT LENGTH 4.361 km
• RACE DISTANCE 305.27 km
• LAPS 70
• LAP RECORD 1:13.078 Valtteri Bottas (2019)

 

Set on the perimeter roads of Île Notre-Dame, an artificial island in Montreal, the 4.361 km circuit is known for its thrilling races. Drivers must skillfully skim the walls to achieve fast lap times, but this daring maneuver often leads some to push too hard, resulting in encounters with the infamous “wall of champions” at the final turn. This barrier has earned its moniker by claiming numerous champion drivers who misjudged their approach.

Due to the circuit’s minimal runoff areas, the Safety Car is almost a fixture in these races, ready to intervene when needed. The track is notoriously hard on brakes and demands excellent traction from the cars. The lengthy straight stretching from the hairpin to the final chicane before the finish line also puts engine performance to the test.

Scuderia Ferrari boasts a remarkable record at this venue, securing 11 victories in Canada, with ten of those wins occurring in Montreal. The very first win captured here by Ferrari was a memorable one, achieved by local legend Gilles Villeneuve. Additionally, the track was the setting for Jean Alesi’s sole Formula 1 victory, which coincidentally came on his 31st birthday in 1995. Michael Schumacher, another standout, has crossed the finish line first in Montreal six times.

Since its inception in 1978, the Canadian Grand Prix has graced Circuit Gilles Villeneuve’s asphalt on 42 momentous occasions, making it the third venue in Canada to host this esteemed event.

Across these 42 races at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the winner’s circle has seen the embrace of 24 different drivers.

Montreal has been a battleground for legends, with Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton etching their names in history as the track’s most victorious contenders. In 2019, Hamilton clinched his seventh triumph here, edging closer to the record for the most F1 wins at a single circuit.

Schumacher and Hamilton stand alone in their glory as the sole drivers to achieve Grand Slams at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, accomplishing this feat in 1994 and 2017, respectively.

Among the contenders of the 2024 grid, four bear the prestigious title of Canadian Grand Prix victor. Leading the pack is Hamilton with an impressive tally of seven wins. Joining him are Max Verstappen, boasting two victories, and Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo, each with a single triumphant moment on this storied track.

The elite club of back-to-back winners at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve includes Alan Jones, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen. Schumacher and Hamilton, in particular, share the distinction of the most consecutive Montreal wins. Schumacher’s dominance spanned three consecutive victories from 2002 to 2004, echoed by Hamilton’s reign from 2015 to 2017.

In a display of national prowess, German and British drivers stand shoulder to shoulder, each boasting ten victories apiece. Ralf Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel bolster Michael Schumacher’s seven wins for Germany, while Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, and Jenson Button contribute to Hamilton’s illustrious record for Britain.

In 2022, the grid positions for the two Scuderia Ferrari drivers at the Canadian Grand Prix were marked in red as a special tribute to the 40th anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve’s passing. The next year, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc honored the Canadian legend by wearing a special tribute helmet.

1995 Canadian Grand Prix: Alesi’s Memorable Victory

Jean Alesi celebrated his birthday in grand style in 1995, claiming his sole Formula 1 victory at the Canadian Grand Prix. Starting fifth in his Ferrari, Alesi managed to pass all competitors except Michael Schumacher. On lap 57, fortune smiled on Alesi as Schumacher was sidelined by electrical problems, pitting and relinquishing the lead to Alesi.

Jean Alesi maintained his lead to the finish but ran out of fuel on his victory lap. In a show of sportsmanship, Schumacher gave Alesi a lift back to the pits on the side of his Benetton, marking a memorable end to the race.

2019 Canadian Grand Prix: A Controversial Finish

The 2019 Canadian Grand Prix saw a tense battle between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. The competition heated up when Vettel received a time penalty for an unsafe re-entry onto the track after cutting a chicane. Although Vettel was first across the finish line, the penalty allowed Hamilton, who was trailing by less than five seconds, to claim the victory for Mercedes.

In a visible sign of protest, Vettel switched the number boards in parc ferme, placing the number 1 in front of the empty slot where his car should have been, showcasing his displeasure with the stewards’ decision.

The infamous final corner at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, known as turn 13, leads into the start-finish straight and has earned the nickname “Wall of Champions.” This section of the track is notorious for catching out several F1 greats, including Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Jenson Button, and Sebastian Vettel. In March 2017, it was announced that this challenging section would be modified to better accommodate the new design of F1 cars, addressing safety concerns.