This is an update to:
A Look Back To Candian Grand Prix
- Montreal’s ‘Honda era’ began in 1986 with a win by Nigel Mansell driving a Williams. Mansell, however, was powerless to repeat his victory in’87 when the race was cancelled following a legal dispute. The resulting changes, including a partially redesigned circuit and new garages, meant the track welcomed the Formula One fraternity back in 1988.
- 1993 saw Alain Prost’s only Canadian triumph, while in 1995 Jean Alesi scored the sole victory of his Formula One career at the circuit. But by far the most successful driver in Montreal has been Michael Schumacher, who recorded a record-breaking seven victories. He clinched his first in 1994 but had to wait until 1997 for his next, which came at the expense of McLaren’s David Coulthard, whose race was ruined by last-minute gearbox issues.
- In 1998 Schumacher won again for Ferrari, despite a big first-corner crash, and was on course for victory the following year too, before spinning out and handing victory to McLaren’s Mika Hakkinen. The German was back on mistake-free form, however, in 2000 when he took his fourth Montreal victory, again in the Ferrari.
- Michael went on to win in 2003, while his 2004 victory would prove to be his last at the Canadian track. Over the last three years, three different drivers having crossed the line first - Kimi Raikkonen for McLaren in 2005, Fernando Alonso for Renault in ’06 (also Michelin’s 100th Grand Prix victory) and Lewis Hamilton for McLaren last season.
- Since that 2007 race, the Montreal circuit has seen a number of modifications. A safety fence has been installed along the wall into which BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica spectacularly crashed last year and the paddock has been modernised to provide better facilities for the teams.
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