2010 Canadian Grand Prix: 11 - 13 June 2010
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DATA:
Length:
4.361 km |
No of Laps:
70 (305.270 Km) |
2008 Pole Position:
L. Hamilton - 1:17.886 min (McLaren) |
Lap Record:
R. Barrichello - 1:13.622 min (Ferrari) |
2008 Fastest Lap:
K. Räikkönen - 1:17.387 (Ferrari) |
2008 Top 6:
1. R. Kubica (BMW Sauber F1 Team)
2. N. Heidfeld (BMW Sauber F1 Team)
3. D. Coulthard (Red Bull Racing)
4. T. Glock (Toyota)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari)
6. J. Trulli (Toyota)
7. R. Barrichello (Honda)
8. S. Vettel (Toro Rosso) |
GP of Canada Facts:
| Full throttle ratio |
63% |
| Top speed race |
323 km/h |
| Longest flat-out section |
13 sec / 1005m |
| Right-/left-hand turns |
9/6 |
| Tyre wear |
high |
| Brake wear |
very high |
| Downforce level |
medium |
| Gearshifts per lap |
48 |
Profile: Circuit du Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
The rivalry between French- and English-speaking Canada of the 1960s meant that the Canadian Grand Prix originally rotated between two homes - Mosport Park and Mont-Tremblant. When the latter track become increasingly too dangerous to race on, the race eventually settled at Mosport Park by 1970.
Inspired by the astonishing success of one of their own, Gilles Villeneuve, French-Canada decided to build a race track to end the rivalry once and for all in 1977. However, building a new circuit meant time and money, neither of which were plausible or realistic options. Instead, the approach was far more creative and highly effective, as plans were drawn up to take advantage of the Ile De Notre Dame in Parc Jean Drapeau on the St. Laurence river, which was earlier built to house the 1967 World Fair (Expo ’67).
By connecting the existing roads on the island, Montreal had successfully created itself a circuit and a perfect location for a Grand Prix. In October 1978, Montreal hosted its first race after further upgrades were made to the circuit to meet Formula One standards.
The year had also been Gilles Villeneuve’s debut season with Ferrari and he had yet to win a race in Formula One and in Ferrari colours. Fittingly, Villeneuve’s first of six F1 wins came in Canada and it was at his home grand prix where he notched his first and most memorable debut victory. The track was renamed in his honour following his tragic and premature death in 1982.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Jacques Villeneuve also became a Formula One driver, but for one fact - Jacques has never won at the Circuit du Gilles Villeneuve.
To most Canadian Formula One fans, Gilles Villeneuve’s number 27 is a number that still remains close to their hearts. When Jean Alesi won his one and only Grand Prix in 1995 in a number 27 Ferrari at Montreal, it was a truly memorable occasion. Nevertheless, the accolade for the most number of wins in Canada belongs to seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher who notched seven wins in Canada.
The Circuit du Gilles Villeneuve is near downtown Montreal and is within a short walking distance of the Ile St. Helen underground metro station. There is also a bus service to the circuit in addition to being accessible by road via the De la Concorde and Jacques-Cartier Bridges.
Most international flights fly to Montreal via the city’s two major airports with Dorval being the closest to the city, while Mirabel slightly further at 53 kilometers north-west of Montreal. There are bus and metro services from the City Centre Air Terminal to and from the circuit.
Technical Review of the Canadian Grand Prix
Despite being a street circuit, it is one circuit that presents a demanding test for both drivers and machinery. The long straights push the engines to the limit. The combination of long straights and chicanes makes Montreal what we call a medium-downforce circuit. There are good overtaking opportunities, particularly on the long flat-out section leading into the last chicane, if your top speed allows. No other circuit on the calendar is harder on the brakes, and so the teams use maximum brake cooling and particu-lar high-performance brake discs. The circuit demands total concentration from the drivers at all times and punishes even the smallest driver error. The drivers have walls to contend with, and the track is always extremely dirty off the racing line.
In the past, the special atmosphere also makes this GP a particular highlight of the F1 calendar. In part, this is due to its unique island location in the St Lawrence River gives the event a distinctive allure.
PAST WINNERS:
| Year |
Driver |
Year |
Driver |
| 2007 |
L. Hamilton (McLaren) |
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| 2006 |
F. Alonso (Renault) |
1996 |
D. Hill (Williams) |
| 2005 |
K. Räikkönen (McLaren) |
1995 |
J. Alesi (Ferrari) |
| 2004 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1994 |
M. Schumacher (Benetton) |
| 2003 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1993 |
A. Prost (Williams) |
| 2002 |
R. Barrichello (Ferrari) |
1992 |
G. Berger (McLaren) |
| 2001 |
R. Schumacher (Williams) |
1991 |
N. Piquet (Benetton) |
| 2000 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1990 |
A. Senna (McLaren) |
| 1999 |
M. Hakkinen (McLaren) |
1989 |
T. Boutsen (Williams) |
| 1998 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1988 |
A. Senna (McLaren) |
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1997
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M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1987 |
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