Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix 2015: All you need to know

Race name Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada 2015 Round 7

Circuit Circuit Île Notre-Dame et Gilles Villeneuve First race 1978 Grands Prix held 36

Laps 70 Race distance 305.70km Circuit length 4.361km Lap record 1:13.662 by Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) 2002

Chance of safety car High

Most wins by driver Michael Schumacher x7 Most wins by team McLaren x13

2014 result

1st Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Red Bull                 1:39:12.830

2nd Nico Rosberg (GER), Mercedes                  +4.236s

3rd Sebastian Vettel (GER), Red Bull                 +5.247s

2015 schedule

June 5– Friday practice 1 6pm to 7.30pm Friday practice 2 10pm to 11.30pm

June 6– Saturday practice 3 6pm to 7pm Saturday qualifying 9pm to 10pm

June 7– Sunday race 10pm to 12am

All times UAE

TV schedule

All sessions will be shown live on BeIN Sports HD6.

Best places to watch

Click here to find out where the best bars to watch the Grand Prix live are. 

Phone ahead to check, Gulf News is not responsible for any changes

The atmosphere

Canada may not be represented in the cockpits of the cars anymore, but that doesn’t stop a highly enthusiastic capacity crowd turning up each year. The high-speed yet narrow nature of the circuit means that the crowds are close to the action… just ask Nigel Mansell.

The circuit is not a permanent track, and for most of the year is actually a public road.

Weather forecast

Friday is set to be overcast, while Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be warm and sunny. Ambient temperature is predicted to be 19C.

Montreal has no defining climate, as in recent years we have seen both warm and sunny races, as well as torrential rain. Indeed in 2011 the race was halted for four hours while the officials waited for the rain to abate (incidentally, the rules were rewritten after this to ensure no such delays happened again).

A bit of history

The Canadian Grand Prix is steeped in history. The first official Formula 1 Grand Prix that took place in Canada was in 1967 (non-Championship races had been held between 1961 and 1966) and was won by the legendary Jack Brabham.

Before the race moved to the current circuit in Montreal, it was run at two circuits which alternated each year: Mosport Park and Mont-Tremblant. The idea was to appeal to both the English and French speaking Canadians. Sadly for the French-speaking Canadians, Mont-Tremblant was dropped after the 1970 race as it was deemed too dangerous for contemporary Formula 1 cars. Mosport Park would hold the race continually until 1978 (except 1975 when no race was scheduled) before the race moved too the all-new Circuit Île Notre-Dame.

There have been some classic moments at Montreal, such as Nigel Mansell’s last lap mistake in 1991. After slowing to wave to the crowd at the hairpin he stalled his car, putting him out with only the last straight remaining. #Embarrassing.

Nigel Mansell prematurely celebrates and stalls his engine, handing the win to Nelson Piquet

However, the Canadian race track is most notable for its infamous “Wall of Champions”. The exit of the final chicane onto the main straight is met with just a wall and no run-off area. Over the years it has claimed the humility of countless drivers such as Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve, Sebastian Vettel, and Jenson Button – all of whom are World Champions, hence the name.

Alex Wurz got it upside down in 1998

There have also been some huge accidents at the circuit, such as Robert Kubica's massive crash in 2007, Olivier Panis' leg-breaking crash in 1997, and Alex Wurz's scary roll at the start of the 1998 race. Riccardo Paletti was killed at the start in 1982 after stalling on the grid. His death would be the last in a Grand Prix until the infamous San Marino race 12 years later.

Robert Kubica amazingly walked away from this crash completely un-scathed in 2007. He would win the race the following year.

The race didn’t run in 2009 due to the arrival of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina, but returned as a permanent fixture on the calendar the following year.

Best overtaking spots

The Circuit Île Notre-Dame et Gilles Villeneuve is one of the fastest tracks on the calendar. It’s essentially two tight corners joined with some straights and with a couple of chicanes thrown in for good measure.

Thanks to its high-speed nature, slip-streaming is a common move made on the long Casino Straight before the pit entry. Heavy braking is required if it’s close, and it’s not uncommon to see an attacking driver cut the chicane if he’s not allowed enough time - in such a situation, the position would have to be handed back. The run down to turn 1 is also a favourite spot. Both of these places are the designated DRS zones.

Writer’s winner

The last two guides have seen this writer predict a Lewis Hamilton win, and on both occasions we've been wrong and Nico Rosberg taken the glory… So this time we’re going to go with Lewis Hamilton… He’ll be fired up after “that” pit stop that cost him certain victory in Monaco. Hamitlon has good pedigree at Montreal, having won here three times previously, and it was also the scene of his maiden victory in 2007.

If it’s normal conditions, then it’s hard to see any other team having the speed to beat the power of the Mercedes on those long straights.

Record holders

Top winning drivers

Top winning teams

Chronicle of winners