Artwork: Art Rotondo / Words: Robby Pacicco
Our favorite musicians celebrate and mark their greatest work with Best of compilations which feature fan favorite and memorable tracks that have defined their career. The compilation here within, however, includes only one track: the world renowned Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Official artist to the Canadian Grand Prix, Art Rotondo has done the same for Formula 1 in Canada by beautifully recapturing favorite and memorable moments of the Canadian Grand Prix to have occurred in Montreal, Quebec. Relive the hits here and be sure to see them in person if attending the 2022 edition of the Canadian GP. Art Rotondo and his team will also be at the famed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as usual providing attendees a chance to purchase incredible original works of his art, including early access to pieces not yet available on his official website artrotondo.com.
*Tag @artrotondo @dorevmi @f1gpcanada along with #CanadianGP on social media if uploading one of Art’s incredible pieces!
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1978 – The first Grand Prix in Montreal and Gilles Villeneuve’s first F1 victory
The first Formula 1 event to take place in Montreal had a spectacular aura surrounding it which is still felt this very day. The 1978 Canadian Grand Prix could not have been scripted and portrayed any better by even the best Hollywood has to offer. The province of Quebec was a buzz being handed back the torch and honour of hosting the prestigious event while up and coming superstar Gilles Villeneuve was set to race on home soil. The legend of Villeneuve was solidified right then and there by flying his Ferrari to victory. His first victory.
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1980 – Alan Jones wins, becoming Drivers’ Champion and claims a first Construtors’ Championship for Williams
The 1980 Canadian Grand Prix is notably remembered for the crowning of champions. Before Williams Racing were known as one of the great teams and names in Formula 1, the young English squad secured their very first Constructors’ Championship when race winner Alan Jones of Australia crossed the finish line. Jones himself was able to bask in the limelight and enjoy it that much more as his first place finish allowed him to claim the Drivers’ Championship as well.
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1981 – Gilles Villeneuve runs in the rain with his broken spolier, blocking the view in front of him
The 1981 Canadian Grand Prix was a wet and wild affair. The drenched racetrack did no favours in helping driver visibility. If that wasn’t enough drama, add to the equation Villeneuve’s damaged Ferrari and tenacity. A small accident caused his front wing to break and remain propped up impeding his direct line of site. Lacking the aerodynamics and stability the front wing would provide to not actually being able to see where he was going, Villeneuve miraculously piloted the battle scarred machine this way for what seemed like an eternity; before the destroyed front spoiler eventually broke away from the car. These treacherous circumstances would have forced many to pull the car aside, instead Villeneuve finished the race in third place.
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1981 – The last career victory for Jacques Laffite at the wheel of a Ligier.
Jacques Laffite of France controlled his Ligier during the unfavourable weather conditions for a battle not only against his rivals, but also against the elements. The soaking wet 1981 Canadian Grand Prix was the sixth and final time Laffite would score a win in Formula 1. He claimed first position in what turned out to be lucky lap 13 by overtaking Alain Prost and never conceding his placement. The impressive triumph of overcoming such dangerous, exciting and punishing circumstances are forever paved into the tarmac of now famously named Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The spirit of Laffite’s Ligier can still be felt when rain drops decorate the track.
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1988 – Ayrton Senna’s first of two wins in Canada, first of three pole positions in Canada
Before the “S” shaped turns one and two were ever christened the “Senna S” at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the magical Ayrton Senna added the 1988 Canadian Grand Prix to his legend. The Brazilian roared his Honda powered McLaren to his first of three eventual pole positions in Canada, including his first of two victories in the land of the red maple leaf. The attendees witnessing Senna qualify and race in person were treated to a spectacular performance that had to be experienced live. Senna claimed his fifth consecutive pole, pinching it from teammate Alain Prost by a mere 0.2 seconds. Come race day, Prost sped off in first place up until the battle was won by Senna overtaking him on lap 19 at the turn 10 hairpin.
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1989 – First career victory for Thierry Boutsen and Renault powered Williams
The 1989 Canadian Grand Prix marked the first ever victory for Williams while using a Renault engine. Thierry Boutsen of Belgium raced into the lead position after superstar Ayrton Senna suffered a mechanical failure with his McLaren-Honda. Boutsen claimed his first Formula 1 victory while his teammate Andrea de Cesaris celebrated second place. This is considered amongst many as the infancy for the dominant Williams-Renault combination which caused rivals to scratch their heads and bite their nails. The writing was on the wall and every sign was pointing to major success in their future heading for the 1990s. The seed was planted in Canada while the branches stretched all around the world from that day forward.
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1991 -Third victory in Montreal and the last of Nelson Piquet’s career at the wheel of a Benetton
Nelson Piquet in 1991 turned the race track into a giant canvas when he painted it with the bright colours of his Ford powered Benetton. Although being almost a full minute behind his rival and race leader Nigel Mansell, Piquet took over the lead in trademark dramatic F1 fashion. Mansell’s Williams-Renault came to a sudden stop halfway to the finish line during the final lap allowing the roaring Piquet to take first place for the victory. The triumph was the third for the Brazilian in Montreal, as well as his 23rd and final win in Formula 1.
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1995 – The first and only victory for Jean Alesi and his “taxi” ride aboard Michael Schumacher’s Benetton
One of the most memorable moments in Canadian Grand Prix and Formula 1 in general occurred in 1995. Jean Alesi charged to the top of the podium while adorning the iconic number 27 on no other than a Ferrari in Montreal, Quebec… Canada. Tasting champagne and victory on what was also his 31st birthday was just the background rhythm to what is considered one of the most celebrated images in the history of the sport. Shortly after crossing the finish line for ultimately his only Formula 1 win, Alesi parked his Ferrari when he ran out of fuel. The show didn’t end there as he hopped onto the oncoming Benetton of Michael Schumacher and rode the world’s fastest taxi back to pit area while saluting and waving to fans.
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1996 – Jacques Villeneuve racing for the first time on the track bearing his father’s name.
The expectations were high yet so were the emotions. Young Jacques Villeneuve was about to race for the first time in Formula 1 on home soil, at a track named after his father. Local and international media were buzzing with the obvious storyline. Villeneuve put his talent to work as he drove his Williams-Renault to second place for qualifying behind teammate Damon Hill. Despite not claiming the win at home, his second position placement after the race had fans in ecstasy as it underlined for the rest of the world the real hype and hope of the eventual home grown champion was on the horizon.
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2001- Sibling rivalry between the Schumacher brothers won by Ralf (Williams) ahead of Michael (Ferrari).
A bit of sibling rivalry filled the air during the 2001 Canadian Grand Prix with an eventual family reunion on the podium at the end of the race. The speedy Schumacher brothers battled for first position in front of over 111 000 spectators in attendance. Eventually Ralf Schumacher and his Williams powered by BMW claimed his second victory of the season and career when the chequered flag was waved. With Ralf claiming the win and brother Michael finishing in second, it would be the first time in Formula 1 history where siblings ended on the podium together.
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2004 – Michael Schumacher claims the 150th victory for Ferrari
The 2004 Canadian Grand Prix is etched into the history of Formula 1’s most celebrated team. The 150th victory for Scuderia Ferrari happened right here when Michael Schumacher claimed the milestone win for the Italian team. Schumacher and his red Ferrari turned Montreal into Modena as celebrations for the fabled team surfaced tears of joy and adulation from fans on site or watching on television. The story was a once in a lifetime experience considering the heaviness of the names involved. The combination of Schumacher and Ferrari alone are enough to raise heartbeats and eyebrows, thus adding the famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to the mix only meant an unstoppable triple headed force.
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2006 – The only combined victory for Renault and Fernando Alonso in Canada, 100th victory for Michelin
Fernando Alonso is considered one of the most complete overall race drivers of all time. Alonso added some of his spice to the 2006 running of the Canadian Grand Prix when he snared the win aboard his flashy Michelin furnished Renault. This was the only win for the Alonso/Renault combination in the Great White North. However, it is remembered as monumental one for Michelin as the French tire manufacturer claimed their 100th win as an official tire supplier for Formula 1. The names Renault, Michelin and Alonso will forever be measured as heavyweights throughout the sport and this moment will always be a part of it.
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2007 – First pole and victory for Lewis Hamilton
The Lewis Hamilton that would go on to win over 100 races, set and tie so many other records can trace it all back to his very first year in Formula 1 to the illustrious Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Way before he was referred as Sir Lewis Hamilton, the young Brit used the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix as his first contribution to his growing legacy. Claiming his first ever Formula 1 pole and victory the same weekend, Hamilton was no longer just generating whispers but conversations of comparisons to the greats, current and past. “Hammer Time” as coined by his fans and supporters was just gaining thrust from that moment on and his legend has continued to grow ever since.
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2008 – Robert Kubica’s first and only victory
Robert Kubica is one of the most beloved participants in automotive racing history. His no quit attitude and determination have made him a fierce rival in any motorsport genre he has competed in. Kubica himself would be the first to mention his first and only Formula 1 victory which occurred at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix. The win at the time aboard his BMW Sauber meant he surpassed names like Hamilton, Massa and Räikkönen for the championship lead which is no easy feat when looking back with the gift of hindsight at the careers of these men.
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2011 – Jenson Button wins the longest ever race and in the rain
It was shaping up to be another wet and wild one in Canada for 2011. The heavens soaked the race track and surrounding municipalities with unforgiving rain. Discussions of delaying the race or postponing it altogether seemed inevitable. Finally the decision was made to allow the race to start. The forces of nature could not keep the devoted fans in attendance from leaving the venue or the teams and drivers to give up. The very wet race victory eventually went to the calm and collected Jenson Button and his McLaren. To be specific, the longest race ever in Formula 1 history lasting just over four hours was won by Jenson Button and his McLaren.
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2013 – Vettel claims his first victory in Canada during his most dominate era of four championships
There is no denying the supremacy Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull held over everyone else for quite a period of time. The energy the team and driver duo shared is the type one would expect from a dynasty ensemble. During their combined dominance which saw Vettel earn four Drivers’ Championships, the road to glory included his first Canadian Grand Prix win in 2013. The victory was also the first for Red Bull in Canada. Winning while 14 seconds ahead of nearest rival Fernando Alonso, the end result helped solidify Red Bull as one of the “big three” race teams from then on.
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2014 – Daniel Ricciardo’s first victory
Daniel Ricciardo of Australia tasted victory for the very first time as a Formula 1 driver at the end of the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix when he parked his Red Bull. No, there wasn’t a “shoey” celebration then, which is probably why it tasted so good. Ricciardo’s famous endless smile shined larger and brighter than ever that day as he allowed the moment to sink in as he was crowned the 105th winner in Formula 1. He bathed in the champagne on the podium as he himself was in complete disbelief, not knowing if it was a dream or reality.
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2017 – Hamilton equals his hero Senna’s pole position record of 65 and is rewarded with a very special helmet
The 2017 Canadian Grand Prix served as a reminder of just how many great moments and milestones have occurred and have yet to occur at the renowned motorsport landmark. Lewis Hamilton did what only Hamilton could do. Before leading every lap of the race to victory, including scoring the fastest lap, it was his record tying qualification position which drew applause and emotions. After it was confirmed and made official, Hamilton had matched his childhood idol Ayrton Senna’s record with 65 pole positions. The image of an emotional Hamilton being gifted Senna’s race worn helmet at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in front of the cheering crowd, specifically at the “Senna S” curve are forever a part of Formula 1 history.
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2018 – The 40th anniversary of Gilles’ victory and celebration of 40 years in Montreal, Vettel claims his 50th career victory in his Ferrari
The narrative of the 2018 Canadian Grand Prix was about pure red passion. The running of the race marked the 40th anniversary of not only the event itself but also of when local hero Gilles Villeneuve won in his Ferrari at home. Four time champion Sebastian Vettel now with the fabled stable Scuderia Ferrari may have sensed the pressure of the circling storyline and crossed the finish line victorious. This was Vettel’s 50th career win which meant he added yet another reason why he is considered one of the greatest ever to pilot a Formula 1 machine.
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