Canadian GP signage
From being resurfaced to new kerbs being installed, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has undergone 13 changes since Max Verstappen won last year’s Canadian Grand Prix.
For nearly four decades, the Canadian Grand Prix has been an integral part of the Formula 1 calendar. This prestigious race has consistently taken place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, situated on Notre Dame Island in Montreal.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has undergone 13 changes
One of the older circuits on the calendar, the Montreal venue has played host to thrillers from Thierry Boutsen’s first win in 1989 to 1999’s rise of the ‘Wall of Champions’ and Robert Kubica’s lucky escape in 2007 which also marked Lewis Hamilton’s maiden Grand Prix win.
Despite undergoing multiple modifications throughout the years, the track’s layout has remained unchanged since 2002.
Once again, the organizers have implemented various modifications for this year’s event. These changes include resurfacing the track and adjusting its height between Turns 7 and 8 to ensure improved clearance beneath the Concorde Bridge.
In his pre-race weekend notes, Niels Wittich, the race director of FIA, disclosed 13 alterations.
• The track has been fully resurfaced.
• All kerbs have been replaced with new kerbs of the same specifications.
• The track surface between Turn 7 and Turn 8 has been lowered to increase the clearance between track and the Concorde Bridge to min. 4.0 m.
• The opening before Turn 2 on LHS at Pit Exit has been moved a few meters further downstream.
• The access road into Turn 5 and Turn 7 has been asphalted.
• The run-off at Turn 8 has been rebuilt with asphalt and grass. The walls have been realigned.
• The grass behind the kerb in Turn 1, Turn 3 and Turn 6 has been replaced with concrete.
• All walls have been realigned to guarantee 1.0 m height.
• The walls at pit exit have realigned on LHS at Pit Exit.
• The debris fence on LHS after Turn 11 has been upgraded to 3.5 m height.
• All TSP have a min. height of 2.5 m.
• The white line between Turn 2 and Turn 3 on LHS has been moved closer to the wall (1.8 m).
• The white line between Turn 7 and Turn 8 on LHS has been moved closer to the wall (1.8 m)
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In his pre-race notes, Wittich clarified the track limits that will be closely monitored in Montreal, while also making adjustments to a few of the white lines.
He wrote, “As per Article 33.3, the track edges are demarcated by the white lines. If a driver fails to adhere to the track limits during Qualifying or the Race, the Stewards will invalidate the lap time.”
Drivers who are unable to successfully navigate Turn 9 or Turn 14 and proceed entirely to the left of the orange apex kerb are required to remain on the left side of the orange block/bollard at the corner’s exit. They must then return to the track at the end of the asphalt run-off area.
“If a driver is unable to navigate Turn 1, they should re-enter the track at the opposite end of the asphalt run-off area near the entrance of Turn 2.”
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