Picture Credit: X/@F1
If it doesn't rain, it makes the Canadian Grand Prix a touch vain. No, that's not true or not always the feeling of everyone. The circuit does allow plenty of overtaking opportunities especially at the medium-fast corners where cars swoop in from around the outside and then there's the longish straights but not always has Canada produced eye-popping entertainment, has it? This, one could argue, has been true particularly from the time of the 2020's.
Although, recently, with Alonso back in 2023, began the race in Canada from the front row with a vastly superior Aston Martin car, something he's been on the look out for ever since 2025 marred his spirit, just a touch.
But then, on the whole, the Canadian Grand Prix has long served as a key highlight of the Formula 1 calendar. A venue that is best known for some dramatic races that took place back in time and especially amid unpredictable weather.
The famed Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve since 1978 has served as the home of the only F1 Grand Prix that takes place in the huge land territory called Canada. However, earlier, the Canadian Grand Prix used to actually be held at the Mosport Park and Mont-Tremblant.
Having said that, let us take note of the winning teams here at Canada who have reigned in the past and may actually fight closely this time around as well, especially when it comes to a certain McLaren.
Ferrari
The icon. The one true red king of the grid albeit also one that has been found struggling.
On the whole, Ferrari have enjoyed the most race wins here with 14 victories.
Whether one talks about Sir Jacky Ickx’s 1970 win here or the mega triumph sealed here by none other than Sebastian Vettel in 2018, their wins have been fanciful and fun.
In the past, racing great and an idol that went too soon, Gilles Villeneuve drove home to a famous 1978 win—it remains his only win on home soil. Gilles was in a league of his own.
Later on, a true legend like Michael Schumacher also contributed significantly to Ferrari's fortunes here and he did so in winning multiple times during Ferrari’s dominant era in the early 2000s.
McLaren
On the whole, thanks to stalwarts like Senna, Prost, and later, Hamilton winning big here, McLaren, the legendary constructor, have won here on 13 occasions. Even legends like Hulme won at the venue back in the day.
Renault
The noted French constructor so popular for making trustworthy and dependable engines; on the whole, the French major has won here just once and that was down to the brilliance of the man nicknamed, The Matador or El Nino - Fernando Alonso. Their only win here came in 2006, with Fernando Alonso during their championship-winning years. Those were the days, where F1 rivalries between Renault and Ferrari were the talk of the town. Schumacher had, it could be argued, found his true match, and that was even before someone called Hakkinen arrived.
BMW Sauber
They won just 1 Grand Prix here, just one, but that too, was simply memorable and unforgettable.
It was back in the year 2008, where the former F1 driver Robert Kubica delivered BMW Sauber its only win, marking a milestone for both driver and team. Probably, it counts as the Pole's greatest F1 moment. A driver truly respected even by Sir Hamilton.
Ligier and Wolf
This was a time where both Ligier (back in1981) and the Canadian-owned Wolf Racing (1977) had claimed a win each, both during F1’s highly competitive late 1970s and early 1980s period. This was a time where racing, as many impassioned fans argue, was at its supreme best.
What must be understood is that this is a different venue altogether, where it comes to understanding the technical nature of the track, its high speed corners and not only that, but the temerity and skill required to maintain pace on the longish straights.
The epic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, home to the Canadian Grand Prix, is a testing venue that will push the drivers to their very edge and can evoke raw reactions at the end of the day. This time, however, given just how much Verstappen has been pushed so far in this season, it could well be that we get to see a titanic struggle to the checkered flag from Verstappen and the two McLaren's ends.
But then, we must remember that someone like an Aston Martin (Alonso finally scoring points and getting underway this season, in Spain) and Williams can prove to be the great outliers at this venue.
