Canadian Grand Prix 2026

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is the home of the Canadian Grand Prix, set on Notre Dame Island in the St Lawrence River in Montreal, Canada. Much of the man-made island was built for the Expo 67 world's fair, and almost half the lap runs alongside the rowing basin created for the 1976 Olympics. Opened as the Île Notre-Dame Circuit in 1978, it was renamed in 1982 after Gilles Villeneuve, who won its first race.

Between races the circuit is part of Parc Jean-Drapeau and open to walkers, cyclists and skaters, so each Grand Prix weekend starts with little rubber on the surface. The lap alternates between quick straights and slow chicanes that demand hard braking, plus a tight hairpin, so it is tough on brakes. The final chicane leads past the famous Wall of Champions.

• Renamed in 1982 in honour of Gilles Villeneuve, winner of its first race.
• The Wall of Champions earned its name in 1999 after catching three world champions.
• Almost half the lap runs alongside the 1976 Olympic rowing basin.

What to watch for: Brake wear and walls that can trigger Safety Car periods are constant factors, with the hairpin and the braking zone for the final chicane the prime overtaking spots.