Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

It has the wall of the champions here. A permanent fixture that, one suspect, shall stay there unmoved on the event. It has hosted, what still remains, one of the longest and arduously contested battles ever seen in Formula 1 history in the recent decades, not just years. It was and will remain the home of the perennially loved Gilles Villeneuve, a legend who went too soon, too dramatically.

The Canadian Grand Prix is all about skill, yes, but also about a lot of emotion. A physically challenging race like others on the calendar, Canada is about a mixture of maintaining a level headed approach to racing but battling with temerity the hotness of competition on track.

But today, let us find about when it all started in the famed North of North American destination when it comes to Formula 1.

For that it is highly recommended that we take a wheel-spin back to the year 1967, a year that not only welcomed Canada to the Formula 1 calendar but also ignited what’s become one of the most iconic fixtures in the sport’s history.

It ought to be remembered that the event was actually first held at Mosport Park, then Mont-Tremblant, and eventually settling at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the Canadian Grand Prix has seen it all—drama, dominance, heartbreak, and history in the making.

So who are the men over the past few years who’ve conquered Canada?

Canadian Grand Prix Winners List

1967-1977: The Formative Years

Jack Brabham, the great Aussie legend, opened the tally with a win in ’67. Then came the likes of Denny Hulme, Jackie Stewart, and Emerson Fittipaldi. In 1978, a Frenchman wrote himself into folklore—Gilles Villeneuve, winning his first and only home Grand Prix. The nation never forgot.

1980s: The age of the greats - Alain and Ayrton

Undoubtedly, these were two drivers, who back in the roaring but cool 80s, made F1 a treat to watch, their battles rattling doubters and igniting a whole level of new controversy with fiery on and off track moments. At the end of the day, however, there was also unexpressed respect between the two F1 champions, one of whom went on to forge a career with Ferrari, while the other staying with Williams before life cut his journey rather sadly and unexpectedly.

But what's also to remember is that back in the 80's, during the careers of Senna and Prost, Nelson Piquet and Alan Jones made early dents, but it was the mid-80s where legends rose.

At this particular venue, the great Ayrton Senna took his maiden Canadian win in ’88, while Alain Prost won a record-setting three times across the decade. Power and poise defined this era.

1990s: The icon Schumacher arrives

Michael Schumacher was a force of nature. Even today, there's no driver quite like him even as he is no more the most successful driver, statistically speaking.

Starting in 1994, the German maestro clinched seven Canadian Grand Prix victories—tied with Lewis Hamilton for the most in history. In this decade alone, he won four. Damon Hill and Jean Alesi also had their moments—Alesi’s emotional '95 win remains a Ferrari classic.

2000s: The Schumacher-Hamilton shift - from a great to another

While Schumacher continued his run till '04, Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso, and a certain Brit named Lewis Hamilton began to rise. This would prove to be a mighty trinity that would colour F1's veneer with exhiliartion and pure talent.

It ought to be remembered that Sir Lewis Hamilton’s maiden F1 win here in Canada happened in 2007—he’s returned six more times to the top step since. But this time around, obviously, there are doubts as to how he might perform in a car that is perhaps rightly criticised as being a 'tractor': SF 25.

2010s: The Lewis Era

Lewis Hamilton has surely performed like a talent previously seen only in the Schumacher and before that, the Senna era. He truly is a czar of sorts and a brilliant talent who makes light work of his opponents on any given day.

Sir Lewis Hamilton stamped his authority in Canada in the past, winning five times in this decade. But next up to dominate the track was his then-closest rival, the famed German, Seb!

Sebastian Vettel came close in 2013 and 2018, but lost the latter event in a controversial fashion. Jenson Button’s 2011 victory, after a four-hour rain-delayed rollercoaster, remains one of the most dramatic races in F1 history. That particular event still remains, one of his career's greatest ever achievements, also because it tested the patience of Button and the event saw a final lap overtake. 

2020s: The roar of the Dutch lion, Max Verstappen’s momentum

Max Verstappen has made Canada, quite literally, his track for displaying supremacy in the recent  years, clinching wins in 2022 and 2023. With Red Bull’s domination showing no signs of slowing, the Dutchman is fast carving his own path in Montreal's rich racing tapestry.

Full list of Canadian Grand Prix winners:

Michael Schumacher (7 wins)

Lewis Hamilton (7 wins)

Ayrton Senna (2 wins)

Alain Prost (3 wins)

Nelson Piquet (3 wins)

Sebastian Vettel (2 wins)

Max Verstappen (2 wins)* (*as of 2024)

With its unforgiving and challenging track limits, it remains to be seen who can master the track with the beloved Wall of the Champions this time around? Lando, Oscar are you guys listening? Look behind, there comes Max!