Canadian Grand Prix | Triumphs of legends

No fewer than 24 different drivers have won the Canadian Grand Prix since Île Notre-Dame has been its host. Some victories have marked the spirits more than others. A little step back in time…

Katherine Harvey Pinard
The Press

The triumph of Gilles Villeneuve – 1978

On October 8, 1978, some 72,000 spectators attended the very first Grand Prix in Montreal history – it had previously been held in Ontario. On the starting grid, driving a Ferrari, lines up a Quebecer. A certain Gilles Villeneuve for whom this is the first full season in F1.

At that time, Villeneuve was not yet a star, far from it. Many, starting with the Italian press, question his real potential, doubt his talent. Arriving in the metropolis, the then 28-year-old athlete was still looking for a first Grand Prix victory.

At 25^e turn, he finds himself in second place. In front of him, the Frenchman Jean-Pierre Jarier holds a 28-second lead. Villeneuve, combative, chases his rival. At 49^e lap, Jarier’s engine failed, forcing him to retire. The Quebecer took advantage of this, finished the race smoothly and won his first victory in Formula 1.

That day, Gilles Villeneuve becomes a hero, an idol. On the circuit that now bears his name, he proved to the world that he deserved his place in Formula 1.

The Schumacher double – 2001

At the 1998 Italian Grand Prix, Michael and Ralf Schumacher became the first brothers to share a podium. The first emerged victorious while the second took third place.

Three years later, in Montreal, they did even better…

Michael Schumacher, driving his Ferrari, holds the leading position on the starting grid. His brother is right behind in his Williams. It was Michael who led for a good part of the race, followed relentlessly by his younger brother, who tried to overtake him a few times.

At 46^e round, the eldest makes his only pit stop. Ralf therefore takes the lead and picks up the pace for five laps before entering the pits in turn. He comes out with a lead of six seconds over his brother. Advance that he digs up to 20 seconds to clinch his second victory of the season.

The brothers climb on the podium together again, but on the first two steps this time.

That’s not all: Michael and Ralf found a way to repeat the feat two years later, still in Montreal. Except that this time, it was Michael who triumphed.

The first of 103 for Hamilton – 2007

Every great career begins with a first victory. That of Lewis Hamilton was signed in Montreal.

In 2007, the Briton drove in the colors of McLaren for his first season in Formula 1. His debut was prodigious. When he arrived in the metropolis in June, he already had five podiums in as many races.

This day of June 10, Hamilton holds the top position for the first time in his career. His teammate Fernando Alonso lines up second. Hamilton offers a big lead in the first laps.

In total, the safety car had to intervene four times in the race and eight drivers did not cross the finish line. Robert Kubica, in particular, is the victim of a terrible accident, so he miraculously only comes out with a concussion and a sprained ankle. Hamilton remains well installed in front of the peloton and drives flawlessly to win and become, at the same time, the first black driver to win a race in F1.

This was the start of a prodigious career that continues to this day for Hamilton. Fifteen years later, at 37, he has 7 championships and 183 podiums, including 103 victories, in 295 Grands Prix. A legend, you say? No doubt.

Jenson Button, sensational – 2011

In 2011, McLaren driver Jenson Button was spectacular to triumph after a chaotic race that stretched over four hours.

Button starts in seventh place under the rainy skies of Montreal. From the first laps, he was involved in a collision which caused the retirement of his teammate Lewis Hamilton and forced the exit of the safety car. The race resumes at 12^e lap, but Button receives a penalty and has to go to the pits, which then puts him at 15^e rank.

Slowly, but surely, the Briton is climbing the slope. At 25^e turn, torrential downpours forced the interruption of the race. Pilots must wait for more than two hours (!) before the action resumes.

In total, the safety car is needed four times in this race. Button must pit stop no less than six times.

In the 70^e and last round, Button is 2^e. He took advantage of a small mistake by the German Sebastian Vettel, who had been leading since the start of the race, to take the lead and race towards the checkered flag.