The 2023 Canadian Grand Prix, officially known as the Formula 1 Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada 2023, was held over three days from June 16th to June 18th.
2023 Canadian Grand Prix: A Comprehensive Review
Contents
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 Canadian Grand Prix took place from June 16th to June 18th.
- The race was held at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal.
- Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing won the race, marking his sixth win of the season and Red Bull’s 100th victory in Formula One.
- The qualifying session saw Verstappen secure pole position, with Nico Hulkenberg of Haas F1 Team and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin following in second and third respectively.
Dates and Schedule
The 2023 Canadian Grand Prix, officially known as the Formula 1 Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada 2023, was held over three days from June 16th to June 18th. The event was the eighth round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship.
Track Review
The race took place at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal. This track is known for its harmonious combination of long straight lines and slow corners, making it wide enough and very favorable for overtaking. Despite its traditionally smooth surface, tire degradation runs on the high side due to the constant cycle of heavy braking and heavy acceleration. This is something teams need to be aware of.
The History of Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a motor racing circuit located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It has a rich history and has been the venue for several major racing events.
The circuit was originally built as a venue for Expo 67, a World Fair held in Montreal. The man-made island, Ile Notre-Dame, lay dormant for 9 years until it was used in the 1976 Olympic Games. In the 1960s, due to the rivalry between French and English speaking Canada, the country’s Grand Prix had two homes: Mosport Park one year and Mont-Tremblant the next. By 1970, Mont-Tremblant was deemed too dangerous and the race moved full time to Mosport Park.
In 1977, motivated by the incredible success of Gilles Villeneuve, French Canadians decided to build a race track. They connected all the island’s roads and made a circuit. After $2m was spent on upgrading the circuit to Formula One standards, the first race was held there in October 1978.
The track was initially named Île Notre-Dame Circuit. However, following the tragic death of Gilles Villeneuve in 1982, the track was renamed in his honor.
Gilles Villeneuve: A Canadian Racing Icon
Joseph Gilles Henri Villeneuve (January 18, 1950 – May 8, 1982) was a Canadian racing driver who spent six years in Formula One racing for Ferrari, winning six Grands Prix and earning widespread acclaim for his performances.
Born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada, Villeneuve grew up in Berthierville. His father was a piano tuner who loved to perform car stunts and taught Gilles to drive at the age of nine. His love for racing became quite evident in early childhood when he started with snowmobile racing.
Villeneuve started his professional career in snowmobile racing in his native province of Quebec. He moved into single seaters, winning the US and Canadian Formula Atlantic championships in 1976. He was offered a drive in Formula One with the McLaren team at the 1977 British Grand Prix. He was taken on by reigning world champions Ferrari for the end of the season and drove for the Italian team from 1978 until his death in 1982.
Villeneuve won six Grand Prix races in a short career at the highest level, and claimed second, his highest finish, in the 1979 Formula One World Championship. He died in a crash resulting from a collision with the March car driven by Jochen Mass during qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder. At the time of his death, Villeneuve was extremely popular with fans and has since become an iconic figure in the history of the sport. His son, Jacques Villeneuve, became Formula One World Champion in 1997, to date the only Canadian to win the Formula One World Championship.
Major Events
The Canadian Grand Prix was first held at the circuit in 1978, where hometown hero Gilles Villeneuve won for Scuderia Ferrari. The Grand Prix quickly became a mainstay of the Formula One calendar. The circuit has also hosted other major events such as the FIA World Sportscar Championship, the Champ Car World Series, the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.
The circuit underwent a series of renovations and upgrades over the years, with the most recent being a complete repaving of the track in 2018.
Qualifying Winners
The qualifying session was a thrilling event. Here are the top three qualifiers:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – Verstappen secured pole position with a time of 1:25.858.
- Nico Hulkenberg (Haas F1 Team) – Hulkenberg initially qualified second but was demoted to fifth due to a penalty for going too slowly under red flag conditions.
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – Alonso qualified third, showcasing his skill and experience.
Race Winners
The race was dominated by Max Verstappen, who led from start to finish. Here are the top three finishers:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – Verstappen’s victory marked Red Bull Racing’s 100th victory in Formula One.
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – Alonso put in a strong performance to finish second.
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – Hamilton rounded out the podium with a third-place finish.
In conclusion, the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix was a milestone event for both Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing, with Verstappen equalling Ayrton Senna’s tally of wins and Red Bull becoming only the fifth team in F1 history to hit 100 wins.
Noah Belanger is a seasoned sports bettor with a decade of experience in the industry. He is the driving force behind the test reports and strategies on the LoonieBet Blog. With a unique perspective, Noah writes from the player's point of view, offering firsthand insights and expertise to help readers make informed decisions.
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