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Canadian GP circuit guide
Round 8: 18 June
The Montreal track is built on an island in the St Lawrence River, alongside the rowing course from the 1976 Olympic Games.
But a drive around the Circuit Giles Villeneuve on the Ile Notre Dame resmbles voyage through choppy waters.
Form guide |
Fond memories: M Schumacher is a three-time winner but did hit a wall last year
Must do better: Frentzen failed four laps from the end in 1999
Look out for: That wall and plenty of retirements
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A bumpy surface, slow corners and a notorious retirement rate are the dominant characteristics, making it a spectators' favourite but a drivers' nightmare.
The competitors hate the way the slow corners break up their rhythm with the elongated circuit marked by two dead-slow hairpins at either end.
In between they are constantly slowed by the sort of chicanes which are good for safety but do nothing for driving style or setting up a car.
Because the straights are generally fast the car must also possess the classic compromise between straight line speed and grip.
The competitors hate the way the slow corners break up their rhythm with the elongated circuit marked by two dead-slow hairpins at either end.
In between they are constantly slowed by the sort of chicanes which are good for safety but do nothing for driving style or setting up a car.
Because the straights are generally fast the car must also possess the classic compromise between straight line speed and grip.
Form guide |
Fond memories: M Schumacher is a three-time winner but did hit a wall last year
Must do better: Frentzen failed four laps from the end in 1999
Look out for: That wall and plenty of retirements
|
This constant speeding-up and deceleration puts an almost intolerable strain on engines and braking systems which often give out well before the finish.
On occasions just six cars have finished - meaning reaching the chequered flag at Montreal often guarantees points.
Last year was not too bad with half of the 22 starters making it - but the race resembled a demolition derby with Mika Hakkinen becoming the only driver to win a Grand Prix behind a safety car.
Heinz-Harald Frentzen's 110mph crash was probably the worst but the most common mishap came at the final corner of the race.
On occasions just six cars have finished - meaning reaching the chequered flag at Montreal often guarantees points.
Last year was not too bad with half of the 22 starters making it - but the race resembled a demolition derby with Mika Hakkinen becoming the only driver to win a Grand Prix behind a safety car.
Heinz-Harald Frentzen's 110mph crash was probably the worst but the most common mishap came at the final corner of the race.
Roll of honour |
1995: Jean Alesi, Ferrari
1996: Damon Hill, Williams
1997: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
1998: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
1999: Mika Hakkinen, McLaren
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After the Island hairpin has been negotiated for the final time the long straight leading up to the pits is broken by a severe right-left chicane into the start-finish straight.
The exit of this last turn of the track leaves no room for error and no fewer than three former world champions made mistakes last year.
All three put their right foot down a touch too early and ploughed straight into the concrete wall opposite.
The exit of this last turn of the track leaves no room for error and no fewer than three former world champions made mistakes last year.
All three put their right foot down a touch too early and ploughed straight into the concrete wall opposite.
1999 result |
1. Mika Hakkinen, McLaren
2. Giancarlo Fisichella, Benetton
3. Eddie Irvine, Ferrari
4. Ralf Schumacher, Williams
5. Johnny Herbert, Stewart
6. Pedro Diniz, Sauber
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Damon Hill and local favourite Jacques Villeneuve were two of the casualties.
But the most stunning sight of the race was seeing Michael Schumacher's Ferrari smash into the obstacle after he had led for 29 laps.
The German has won here three times but will surely return with that glaring error on his mind when he takes his Ferrari onto the circuit this year.
His mistake left the way open for Hakkinen to take the win, with Giancarlo Fisichella giving Benetton their best result of the season in runners-up.
But the most stunning sight of the race was seeing Michael Schumacher's Ferrari smash into the obstacle after he had led for 29 laps.
The German has won here three times but will surely return with that glaring error on his mind when he takes his Ferrari onto the circuit this year.
His mistake left the way open for Hakkinen to take the win, with Giancarlo Fisichella giving Benetton their best result of the season in runners-up.
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