Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

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The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is the venue for the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix and Champ Car Molson Indy Montreal. The circuit, on Île Notre-Dame, a man-made island in the St. Lawrence River that is part of the city of Montreal, was named after the Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve, father of Jacques Villeneuve.

During the few days of the Grand Prix, Île Notre-Dame is one of the noisiest places in Montreal. At just about any other time of the year, it is one of the quietest, being located in the middle of a river, on an island filled with greenery and animals, joggers and cyclists.

The circuit is a fast circuit, but it is also a street circuit. As such, barriers run close to the circuit and many experienced drivers have been caught out by them. A particularly famous part of the circuit is the wall on the outside of the exit of the final chicane. In 1999 the wall, which has on it the slogan Bienvenue au Quebec giving it the nickname "Mur du Quebec" -Quebec Wall-, claimed three Formula One World Champions.

Changes made in 2005 to the kerbs on the final chicane were controversial amongst drivers in the run-up to the Grand Prix. The kerbs were made higher and more difficult for the drivers to see, making the chicane even more of a challenge to drivers.

Note that for spectators, the track has reduced the viewing area for general admission ticket holders such that you need to purchase grandstand tickets to view the race.

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